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The Sobmarine Shel 

A War Play in Four Acts 



By 
MANSFIELD SCOTT 

Author of ''The Air- Spy,'' ''The Conjurer ;' etc. 



The acting rights of this play are strictly reserved. Perform- 
ance may be given by amateurs on payment to the autlior of a 
royalty often dollars ($10.00) for the first performance or fifteen 
dollars (^? 15.00) for two performances. Correspondence on this 
subject should be addressed to the author in care of the pub- 
lisliers. The professional stage rights are also strictly reserved, 
and performance by professional actors, given in advertised 
places of aiTUisement and for profit, are forbidden. Persons who 
may wish to produce this play publicly and professionally should 
apply to the author, as above. 



BOSTON 

WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 

1918 






y^^^^Os, 



The Submarine Shell 



CHARACTERS 

Hans Kraft, a/ms James McGrady, 
Otto Herman, alias William. 
Mr. Warren Middlebrook. 
Monsieur Charles LeClair. 
Professor Henry Westerberg. 
Detective Albert Bradbury. 
Inspector Malcome Steele. 
" Tom Cloff." 
Mrs. Middlebrook. 
Eleanor Middlebrook. 
Margaret Linden. 
Delia. 

" Tom Cloff'' is represented by another rjie7nber of the cast, 
and does not call for an addiiional actor. 

The Time of the Play.— August ii and 12, 1919. 
The Place. — The home of Warren Middlebrook, an American 
inventor, in a suburb of New York City. 

SYNOPSIS 

Act I. The Hving-room. August 11, after dinner. 
Act 11. Same as Act I. August 12, i : 30 p. m. 
Act III. The private laboratory. That evening, 7 : 30. 
Act IV. Same as Act III. Later, 10 p. M. 




TMP9O-Q07329 



Copyright, 19 18, by J. Mansfield Scott 
as author and proprietor 

ProfessioJial stage and moviiig picture rights reserved 



4i/S ,3^CJ0 5015 



^-T^t> ( 



The Submarine Shell 



ACT 1 

SCENE. — The Uvhifj-rooni at the home of Warren 
MiDDLEBROOK. August II, after dinner. The scene 
is a zv ell- furnished room of comfortudle appearance. 
There is a table near c, and a smaller one at r. Door 
into library at r. Door into hall near L, at back. 
Special door into laboratory on side at l. 

(Hans Kraft and Otto Herman are standing near 
the laboratory door, talking in lozv tones. Kraft is 
a thick-set, short man, smooth-shaven, about thirty 
years of age. Herman is somezvhat older, and ap- 
pears to be a perfect type of English butler. He is 
tall, zvith dark complexion. Both of these men, in 
their efforts to counterfeit the speech of an Irish- 
American and of an uneducated Englishman, re- 
spectively, are inclined to overdo their impersona- 
tions a trifle.) 

Kraft. Yes, yes, my man ! Unless Middlebrook 
gives in at once, we destroy that laboratory at ten to- 
morrow night ! 

Enter Delia from r. She is a stout, good-natnred Irish- 
zuoman of about thirty-five — not an imitation. The 
tzvo men glance up at once, and cease talking 
abruptly. 

Delia. Ah, an' here you are, I see, both o' you ! 
You're one fine laberratorry assistant, you are, Jim Mc- 
Grady! A right lot o' worrk I've ever seen you do in 
this place ! 

Herman. That his what they call a " snap '* hover 
'ere, I guess, Delia. 'E gets the run o' the 'ouse without 
doing hanything. 

3 



4 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 

Dklia. You said it, William. But just you wait till 
the iiiisthress comes down! I'll bank on you not doin' 
much loafin' after that, either one- of you! Misther 
Middlebrook can maybe invent them fancy phwat-cher- 
may-call-ems of his, an' I'll allow as he's got brains, an' 
all that, but I'm thinkin' it's the misthress phwat can 
make folks tend to their worrk ! 

Krai-t. Faith, Delia, an' you sure 

{He slops suddenly.) 

Delia {quickly). It's Misther Middlebrook. Take 
care if he catches you here, Jim. 

(Kraft hurriedly retreats to the laboratory, closing the 
door. Delia hastens into the hall, accompanied by 
Herman. Enter Warren Middlebrook frojn r. 
Middlebrook is a rather large gentleman of middle 
age. His manner is one of great dignity and gravity. 
He has a rather pale, smooth-shaven face, and his 
hair is prematurely white.) 

Midd. {catching sight of Herman leaving). Oh — 
er — William. 

Herman {retnrning). Yes, sir. 

Midd. {carefidly removing his glasses and placing 
tJiem in his case). Please — er — please step to the labora- 
tory and tell James that I would like to see him a m.oment. 

Herman. Very good, sir. 

{Goes to door of laboratory and calls. Kraft enters.) 

Midd. Thank you, V/illiam. That is all. (Her^ian 
leaves.) Now, James, in regard to — er — why, I was 
certain that there was some matter which I wished to 
discuss with you. {He removes his glasses from the case 
and replaces them upon his nose.) Ah, yes, I recall it 
now. It is in regard to to-morrow morning's laboratory 
work. 

Kraft. Yes, sor. 

Midd. Now, I shall not be able to give any time to 
laboratory work until after luncheon to-morrow. I am 



THE SUBMARINE SHELL t 

quite decided upon that point — quite decided indeed— in 
spite of all the urging which Professor Westerberg has 
done. Ah, yes, 1 recall now what I wish you to do this 
morning. 

Kraft. There is but very little more to be done on 
the gun, sor. With another two hours' work she would 
be ready for you to attach the shell. 

MiDD. (rather impaiiently). Er — that is of no conse- 
quence, for the present ! This is in regard to a very dif- 
ferent matter. Besides, James, I have told you many 
times that you cannot be permitted to work upon that gun 
unless I am with you. Let that be — er — quite definite! 
Now, your work for to-morrow morning will consist in — ■ 
in— er — in making these tests for me. {He searches 
vainly in his coat pockets.) Well, it appears that I have 
left the required papers on my desk up-stairs. {He hesi- 
tates.) I believe — er — I believe I had better return and 
look them up. Er — kindly wait here just a moment. It 
was quite stupid of me to forget them — quite stupid 
indeed. [Exit. 

Rei^nter Herman from the hall. He glances quickly 
around the room. 

Kraft. And now to business again. Complete your 
report. 

Herman. There is very little more, Herr Kraft, 
but 

Kraft. Stop that ! Many times have I ordered you to 
address me as Jim ! Come, come, our time is short ! 

Herman. Tom Cloff was here at one this morning. 
I let him in by the kitchen window. He 

Kraft. At one, you say? Did you talk with him? 

Herman. For ten minutes, sir. He wishes your re- 
port at once, and must know whether or not you have yet 
been able to see the inside of the shell. 

Kraft. Ach Himmel ! It is always that ! Again and 
again he expects me to accomplish the impossible. How 
could I have seen the shell, when the gun itself is not 
yet altogether completed, and when Middlebrook stands 
over me every instant while the gun is uncovered? 



O THE SUBMARINE SHELL 

Herman. Then you have not succeeded? 

Kraft. That is impossible, Otto! The shell is not 
yet put together ; its parts are in his private room. 

Herman. Why, surely you have worked upon it ! I 
have seen it in the laboratory myself, covered with 
canvas. 

Kraft. Ach, Otto, that is not the shell ! That is 
merely the gun itself. Of what value is that to our 
country ? Bah ! You are a fool to think that that 
machine could ever harm the submarine ! It is the shell 
which is the vital key of the whole thing! It is the 
shell alone which can bring downfall to our people ! 

Herman. And that you have not seen? 

Kraft. Ach, no, I tell you ! But concerning the 
threat sent here by Tom Cloff, Has Middlebrook taken 
alarm? Has he shown any sign? 

Herman. None at all, sir. 

Kraft. Then we'll go through with it to the finish ! 

Herman (startled). What? Not that! We'll not 
cause an actual explosion in the laboratory ! 

Kraft. Most certainly. Otto. The orders of Cloff 
must be carried out. 

Herman. But the wreckage, sir! The fire, and loss 
of life, perhaps ! And the danger to us ! 

Kraft. Enough of that ! You are not here to con- 
sider your own safety. 

Herman. But how can it be done? You know as 
well as I that it is impossible to smuggle any explosive 
past the guards into this house. As for making it your- 
self, that is equally impossible. You have not access to 
any materials. It is useless 

Kraft. ^ Those are the orders of Tom Cloif, Otto. It 
is his business to furnish the explosive. It is ours to 
carry out his commands. 

Herman. But why must you obey him, and carry 
out this frightful crime? Are you afraid of him? 

Kraft (sternly). No more of that! It is not Tom 
Cloff that I serve ; it is the Fatherland. 

Herman. But that makes it no clearer. Why is this 
man your superior, and mine also, that we must obey his 
every order? And why does he come here always at 



THE SUBMARINE SHELL 7 

night, with a black band masking his face? Who is this 
man? What right 

Kraft {quickly). Stop there! Do you value your 
life? -^ 

HexRman (^/ar/Za/). Most certainly, sir ! Butwhat 

Kraft. Then let Tom Cloif and his identity alone' 
He IS the agent of Von Holtzer. Is that enough? 

Herman. Of Von Holtzer? Tom Cloff ? 

Kraft. Precisely. It is our part to obey. Under- 

^^;"]1/, ^^^^' ^^^^^ y^^^ overheard anything between 
Middlebrook and his wife? 

Herman. I have, sir. Middlebrook is too stupid to 
suspect any real danger. But when Mrs. Middlebrook 
came home this mornmg 

{He glances toward the hall door.) 
Kraft. Yes, yes. Go on. 

Herman. Mrs. Middlebrook has sensed trouble al- 
ready. She is considering, sir, sending for Inspector 
Steele. 

Kraft. Ach Himmel ! It is the worst of my fears ! 
The curse of the Fatherland upon the intuition of a 
woman ! V/ill he come ? 

Herman. I cannot know. She has not yet 

Kraft. We must know! Mein Gott ! but he would 

rum all ! Unless— unless 

Herman. Unless we can prevent his coming? 
Kraft. No, no, it is not that. Far better. Otto. If 
they talk agam, you're to overhear them, and find out her 
decision. Get that? 

I-Ierman. I understand, sir. 

Kraft. Gut! Then get your results. Keep watch 
of your cockney English every minute. Make sure 

that (Delta suddenly enters from the hall, and he 

shifts at once.) Make shure that Misther Middlebrook 
dont catch you a-loafin' 'roun' here like this. If he 

does, my man 

Delia. Faith,, an' there's no tellin' phwat's liable to 
happen ye if he does, William. Ye'd better mind verself 
Herman. 'Ave little fear of that, Delia. 'E will 
never find hanything to complain of with me. 



8 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 

(Delia crosses to the library door, and holds up a 
zvarning finger. ) 

Delia. Take care now, both o' you. He's comin' 
back. [Exit. 

(Herman makes a hasty exit to the hall. Middle- 
brook enters from the library, finding Kraft alone.) 

MiDD. These are the — er — I have the papers here, 
Jarnes. They are formula for dyes, as you will observe. 
This is — er — this matter is in connection with the dye 
compound Vv^hich my visitors, Monsieur LeClair and Pro- 
fessor Westerberg, wish to obtain. You understand what 
these are. 

Kraft. Dye formulae, sor. And the compound? 

MiDD. Ah, yes, James. Yes, indeed, the compound. 
That is what I wislj tested again, you see. Here, this 
will indicate the process. 

Kraft. Then for the present, sor, we are to work 
upon this dye compound instead of the submarine shell? 

MiDD. Er — yes, James. My visitors, you see, would 
like to complete this matter as quickly as possible. They 
represent rival European dyeing concerns, you under- 
stand, and have come here to make me offers for the use 
of my latest dyeing secret. 

Kraft. I understand that, sor. 

MiDD, It is a contest between these two, you see. So 
we — we must complete the matter as quickly as possible. 

Kraft. Very well, sor. [Exit to laboratory. 

MiDD. Er — William. 

Herman {entering). Yes, sir. 

MiDD. li — er — if Mrs. Middlebrook is not with tlie 
guests at present — er— kindly tell her that the compound 

must contain the follov/ing Oh, no, I beg your 

pardon, William. Er — tell her that a telegram came for 
her just a moment ago. Dear me ! I seem to be becom- 
ing more distracted every day ! 

Herman. Very good, sir. [Exit. 

(Middlebrook walks to the table at c, zvhere he 
searches among the books for an instant. Enter 
Mrs. Middlebrook. Mrs. Middlebrook is a lady 



THE SUBMARINE SHELL 9 

of medium height and middle age. Her manner, in 
contrast to that of her husband, suggests alertness 
and quick-wittedness. As she enters, she is crum- 
pling a yellow envelope in her hand.) 

Mrs. M. Warren. 

MiDD. Er — yes, my dear. 

Mrs. M. I must talk to you again, about this danger. 
I feel that we are not 

MiDD. Oh — er — Lucy, this is nonsense! Idiotic! 
Why, it's absurd for you to think of the submarine shell 
being discovered, for the thing has not yet been put 
together. Why — absolutely absurd! 

Mrs. M. But that is not the only danger. An enemy 
might easily wreck the gun itself in the laboratory. 

MiDD. Er — quite ridiculous ! Oh ! Upon my word, 
Lucy ! Now that you speak of such a — er — possibility, 
you bring to my mind a very strange letter that I re- 
ceived Monday. I had quite forgotten it. {He searches 
his pockets.) It v/as certainly a weird communication, I 
assure you. But — er — absolutely atrocious ! Er — quite 
preposterous, in fact. Ah, here it is. I shall read it to 
you. 

Mrs. M. What could it have been ? 

MiDD. It is — er — postmarked " New York City." 
The letter itself is — er — typewritten. {He reads.) "Mr. 
Warren Middlebrook: — You are nearing success in your 
efforts against the submarine. Your work in this line 
must cease at once. There are two courses open to you. 
A group of government men from England and France 
are due in New York on the evening of August twelfth, 
to examine your invention. You must give up all work 
upon your new invention before that date. We are in a 
position which will enable us to know at once whether 
or not you have done so. If your work has not been 
completely given up when the government officials land in 
New York on the evening of the twelfth, your laboratory, 
together with a large portion of the rest of your house, 
will be blown up at the moment that these men land. 
This is not a boast. We are backed by William Von 
Holtzer, well known as the chief of German spies in the 



lO THE SUBMARINE SHELL 

United States, and we shall not fail. This is your last 
warning. Signed, ' Tom Cloff, bomb-setter.' " 

Mrs. M. Warren ! Why haven't you told me of this ? 

MiDD. You see — er — what a prepostero.us bit of 
literature it is. I had imagined that it would amuse you. 

Mrs. M. (with gesture of despair). Amuse me? Do 
you call it amusing to feel that this house may be blown 
up at any minute? Considering what you are on the 
point of doing against the submarine, it is only natural 
that Germany should make efforts to stop you. 

MiDD. But — er — this house is under guard, you re- 
member. 

Mrs. M. Yes, the outside is carefully guarded. But 
of what use is that, when you permit dangerous strangers 
to live inside? 

Midd. Oh, I — er — I simply detest that word " danger- 
ous." Er — most especially when you apply it so — er — 
indiscriminately — to these gentlemen. 

Mrs. M. But what can we know of their intentions? 

Midd. But I assure you, Lucy, that they are both very 
estimable gentlemen. Most estimable. Monsieur Le- 
Clair I met in Paris, nearly five years ago. He is a — 
er — Frenchman, and of course most loyal to the Allies. 

Mrs. M. (doubtfully). Oh, very well. But what 
about that other man, Westerberg, may I ask? Is he, 
also, a Frenchman? 

Midd. Why — er — why, no, Lucy. In fact, he is — 
er — he is not a Frenchman. But he is quite neutral in 
regard to the war, you understand. His sole interest 
here is — scientific. 

Mrs. M. Warren, there is danger from one of those 
two strangers ! 

Midd. Why, that is preposterous ! Absurd ! You 
Avould — er — you would do better if you would — er — in- 
vestigate this person whom Eleanor is bringing home 
with her ! 

Mrs. M. Warren, why should you speak that way of 
Margaret Linden? 

Midd. Oh, I don't know, Lucy ! Her — er — her man- 
ner simply exasperates me every minute ! She*s so — er — 
unnatural ! 



THE SUBMARINE SHELL 11 

Mrs. M. (laughing slighlly). Unnatural? Well, per- 
haps she has a little reason to be unnatural. She's a 
splendid girl at heart, and the best friend Eleanor ever 
had. I'm very glad to welcome her here. But in the 
case of these two men, it's different. To think of running 
such a risk, on the very day when you can prove to the 
world that America shall not be terrorized by the under- 
sea boat ! Warren, vje must have Inspector Steele ! 

MiDD. Oh — er — Lucy, we can't treat Detective Brad- 
bury that way, especially since his presence here is so — 
er — enjoyable to Eleanor. And there would not be the 
slightest chance of our obtaining Steele, the head of the 
National Secret Service. 

Mrs. M. Oh, I think there would. 

(She glances quickly toward the hall door. Herman 
is standing in the doorzvay. ) 

Herman. You rang for me, sir? 
MiDD. Why — er — why, no, William. 
Herman. I beg your pardon, sir. 

Enter Eleanor Middlebrook, followed by Margaret 
Linden. Eleanor is a very attractive young lady 
of about tzventy-two, rather short of stature, zvith 
dark eyes and hair. Margaret is a complete con- 
trast to Eleanor. She is rather tall and slight. 
Her manner seems almost that of a much older, 
woman than a young lady of twenty-five ; there is in 
it an unusual amount of reserve. Her bearing con- 
veys just a suggestion of old-fashioned training. 
Eleanor hurries to her mother. 

Mrs. M. Oh, hello, Eleanor! {She kisses her.) 
Why, Margaret Linden ! It does seem wonderful to see 
you ! I'm so glad you're here ! 

Marg. Oh, thank you, Mrs. Middlebrook. You may 
be sure I'm glad to be here. I'd rather be with Eleanor 
than anywhere, you know. 

Mrs. M. Warren, I'm sure you remember Margaret 
Linden. 

MiDD. (a trifle coldly). Er — how do you do, Miss — 
er — Linden. Why — er — I do remember you. 



12 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 

Enter Monsieur Charles LeClair and Professor 
Henry Westerberg, from the library. Monsieur 
LeClair is a small, slight gentleman, with a short 
black moustache. He is very active and talkative. 
Westerberg is almost exactly the opposite, being 
larger, somewhat older, and usually inclined toward 
silence. He zvears a large, curling moustache of 
light brown. 

LeClair (/o Westerberg). Ah, I do most repeatedly 
assure you, Monsieur. Eet eez next to zee impossible to 
make zee American servant comprehend ! 

West. Upon mine honor, it is that ! 

LeClair. But see ! Here eez Monsieur zee inventor 
himself. 

West. It is goot, mine f rient. 

LeClair. Ah, Monsieur Middlebrook, but I find eet 
all impossible to make comprehend your servant to a 
thing that I have said! And to rest idle in zee library 
during zee past hour, in zee effort to make an under- 
standing with your servant, and with this servant more 
and more uncomprehending as zee hour goes by — eet eez 
of zee most annoying! 

MiDD. I am very sorry, gentlemen. Er — let me pre- 
sent my daughter, Eleanor, Monsieur LeClair, and her 
friend Miss Linden. Monsieur Charles LeClair. And — 
er — Professor Henry Westerberg. 

West, (quite surprised). Dat is your daughter? 
But when I knew you in Berlin, Herr Middlebrook 

MiDD. Oh — er — yes, indeed. Professor Westerberg. 
My — er — my adopted daughter. Miss Eleanor Middle- 
brook. 

(They take chairs.) 

LeClair (to Eleanor). Mademoiselle has been away 
during zee last four days, n'est-ce pas? 

Elea. Yes, Monsieur LeClair. I had to go away to 
Boston, with the members of our club, to attend to the 
shipment of the bags for the soldiers. It was awfully 
annoying, wasn't it, Margaret? 



THE SUBMARINE SHELL I3 

(Margarf.t giz'cs a Hi He laugh. It is a very quiet 
laugh^not at all like the merry, care-free ones which 
accompany Eleanor's remarks.) 

Marg. But we mustn't try to count the annoying 
things in war-time. 

Elea. {sighing). No, I suppose not. But even when 
M'e are home again, I can't get into my own house without 
all this red tape of passing the plain-clothesmen outside. 
It's terribly inconvenient ! 

Marg. I imagine it is. But then, Eleanor, you must 
remember that such a work as your father has just ac- 
complished is worth almost any cost. 

LeClair. Eet cez well spoken, Mademoiselle! 

Mrs. M. Then you've heard about Mr. Middlebrook's 
invention ? 

Marg. I certainly have, Mrs. Middlebrook. Why, 
even our soldiers in France have heard something about 
it. Even before I left, a month ago, they knew that he 
had perfected a shell which would cleave the water and 
wreck a submerged U-boat. 

LeClair. Your shell eez entirely completed, Mon- 
sieur ? 

MiDD. Er — yes, Monsieur LeClair. We have had 
several very successful tests. All that remains is to con- 
vince the men who are coming from England and France 
to-morrow. 

West. It is a most admirable invention! 

Mrs. M. But tell us, Margaret. You've been to 
France with the Red Cross, haven't you? 

Marg. Yes, indeed. For nearly two years. 

Elea. Oh, Mother, she told me some perfectly zvon- 
derfiil things on the way here! You imist hear some o£ 
them ! Oh, tell Mother about 

Enter Herman. 

Herman. Detective Bradbury 'as come, Mr. Middle- 
brook. 

MiDD. Oh — er — yes, William. Show him in, please. 

\Exii Herman.- 
Mrs. M. You remember Mr. Bradbury, don't you. 



14 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 

Margaret? I think it was just after we met him that 
you left for France. 

Enter Detective Albert Bradbury. The privaie de- 
tective is an active, powerfully built man of medium 
height, apparently about tzventy-eight or thirty years 
of age. His face is smooth-shaven and rather hand- 
some. His manner suggests a complete realisation 
of his own importance. Eleanor rises and goes 
quickly to meet him. 

Brad, {to Eleanor). Oh, good-evening! You've 
returned ! 

Elea. I have, at last ! Oh, how kind of you ! 

(She takes a small box which Bradbury hands fo her.) 

Brad. That's the candy I promised you last \veek, 
you know. 

Elea. Perhaps you remember my friend, Miss Linden. 

Brad, (in quick surprise). Why, I certainly do. I'm 
very glad to meet you again, Miss Linden. I understand 
that you have been in France. 

Marg. Yes, Mr. Bradbury, I spent two years there. 

Mrs. M. I remember that you went just after we had 
met Mr. Bradbury. We had asked you to take a little 
trip to Washington with us — that time we went with Mr. 
Bradbury, you know — but you weren't able to do it. 

Marg. Yes, indeed, Mrs. Middlebrook, I do remem- 
ber it. I — I was very sorry that I had to leave at that 
time. 

Brad. Do you know, I have heard, Miss Linden, and 
I really understood, in fact, that — well, that you didn't 
really want to go to Europe at that time, and that you 
were in some way forced into it. 

(Margaret nods slowly. Her face shows that the 
recollection is most unpleasant to her.) 

Marg. It is — quite true. I zvas compelled to go, 
against my will. 

Elea. It was a shame, too! Simply criminal, I call 
it! And just because she had given in her name. 



THE SUliMARiNli SHELL jr 

Mrs. M. Was that the reason, Margaret? I never 
really knew. 

Elea. Oh, Mother, you mustn't question Margaret 
about all that. I'm sure it must be an unpleasant topic 
for her. 

Mrs. M. Oh, I remember now that there was some- 
thing Oh, you left right after that dreadful night 

at the Markmans' reception, didn't you? 

Elea. Mother ! You mustn't remind her of that ! 



(Eleanor's face shows considerable agitation. Mar- 
garet is greatly disturbed, but does not betray the 
fact so clearly.) 

Marg. I'm sure that I'd be glad to tell you anything 
that you'd like to know about it. It — it was unpleasant, 
but it is past, and must be forgotten. 
- Mrs. M. The reception was in June, 1917, wasn't it? 
It wasn't — it couldn't have been anything connected with 
the theft of Mr. Markman's state papers. 

Elea. Why, Mother! Of course Margaret didn't 
have anything 

Mrs. M. Why, Eleanor, child! I never suggested 
such a thing! 

Marg. Oh, please don't upset yourselves on my ac- 
count. I'll try to explain about it. The truth is that I 
was practically forced to go abroad with the Red Cross — 
and altogether through the unreasonable order of — of the 
man who had charge of the enrollment. 

Brad. Then it was this man who was to blame. 

Marg. It was, Mr. Bradbury. You see, I had listed 
niy name before I received Mrs. Middlebrook's invita- 
tion.^ When I asked this — this gentleman — if it would be 
possible for me to withdraw, he saw no objection, at that 
time, to my withdrawing later if I wished. But then 
came the excitement at the reception, when the — the theft 
was made. And the very next morning, when I told him 
that I had decided to withdraw, and to join your family 
and Mr. Bradbury in your trip — he refused. 

Mrs. M, Refused to release you? 



1 6 ■ THE SUiiMARIiNii SHLLL 

Marg. He refused quite decidedly. I appealed to the 
regular enrollment officer, to the Governor, to every one — 
v^qthout success. His commands are law in this country. 

Mrs. M, Why, vi^ho can he be? What right could he 
have to compel you to remain in the service? 

Marg. Tm afraid that he had every right. You see, 
Mrs. Middlebrook, he is at the head of the Secret Service 
in this country. His — his name is Steele. 

Brad, (with a start of surprise). Inspector Steele! 

Mrs. M. I can't believe it! 

LeClair. But what did you do, Mademoiselle ? 

Marg. I went, that's all. It was my duty to obey. 
I — I might have begged him to release me, but I would 
never give him that satisfaction ! I have as much patriot- 
ism as he, even though he is the head of the 

Elea. You have your self-respect, too, Margaret, and 
that's more than that coward can ever 

(Margaret checks her with an involuntary gesture.) 

Marg. We — we mustn't call him quite that, Eleanor. 
He goes to Europe himself, you know — right into the 
German lines, where a slip means death. Why, he may 
be in Germany now — for all I know. 

Mrs. M. But what could have happened at the recep- 
tion to cause him to change so quickly? 

Marg. Oh, I — I really don't — I can't understand it, 
myself. 

LeClair. Eet eez not many who can understand 
Monsieur Steele ! 

Elea. (quickly). You knov/ him? 

LeClair. Bien sur. Mademoiselle. I have met him in 
Paris, it is now three months. Ah ! Comme il est ridi- 
cule ! (He laughs.) He is a man so strange! He 
speaks almost not at all — and he laughs never — but he 
listens — forever ! 

Elea. Isn't he ridiculous, Monsieur LeClair? 

LeClair. You have well spoken ! And his expres- 
sions — forever so idiotic ! Surely you have all remarked 
his expressions zee most ridiculous ! 

Elea. Why, what are they ? 



THli SUBMARINE SHELL I7 

LeClair. Eh bien ! He eez forever saying — " Quite 
right." One thousand times he use those words! And 
there eez one other which I recall. Jie eez one expres- 
sion zee most characteristic, when Monsieur zee Inspector 
say, one million times to every week — ah, oui, he say — 
" With great success." I think sometimes he do so in 
real purpose, but no. Eet eez all unconscious, Madem- 
oiselle. And when I see him, I laugh well, and I say: 
"Zee Americans, are they all like him?" Ha! Ha! 
Eet eez one good joke, n'est-ce pas? 

Mrs. M. a matter of opinion, Monsieur LeClair. If 
you had made some twenty trips inside the German lines, 
and had stared death in the face a thousand times, you 
yourself might not find time to vary your expressions. 
As for the Inspector, I have decided that we must have 
his assistance here to-morrow ! 

MiDD. Oh — er — Lucy, I beg you to be reasonable ! 
Our guests 

Mrs. M. But I am considering their safety, also. 
(She turns to the others.) Mr. Middlebrook has received 
a threat by mail, predicting the destruction of his labora- 
tory when the British and French Government officials 
land in New York at ten o'clock to-morrow night. 

LeClair. Mon Dieu ! 

West. But this is terrible ! 

Elea. You can't mean it, Mother ! 

Brad. But, Mrs. Middlebrook, I can't understand 
what has happened. Lias there been something lacking 
in my services on this case? 

Mrs. M. Not at all, I assure you. I — I simply feel 
that there is great danger. Please don't feel offended by 
this. Mr. Middlebrook's greatest invention, and also his 
home, will be in great peril to-morrow night. I simply 
feel that we must have him to-morrow. 

Brad. But danger is impossible, Mrs. Middlebrook. 
I have plain-clothesmen guarding the house every minute. 
I have the laboratory protected by an automatic alarm. 
(He points to a small red fixture on the zvall near the 
laboratory door.) The least pressure upon that door, 
when the alarm is set, will cause a loud gong to ring in 
the black box inside the laboratory door. 



l8 THli bUBMARlNli SHELL 

West. In a box, you say ? Dat is remarkable, Herr 
Bradbury ! 

{He strolls to the side of the room, and examines the 
red fixture with considerable interest.) 

Mrs. M. You have always been most painstaking, Mr. 
Bradbury, and I appreciate it. But I — oh, I can't take 
chances at such a time as this ! 

Elea. But certainly you wouldn't take the case away 
from Mr. Bradbury now. He has been splendid, Mother. 
No one could do any better! 

MiDD. Er — I fear our guests must be wearied by 
this — er — discussion. 

Elea. Oh, you won't have him, Mother ! 

Brad, (in wrath). Wherever I go, it's the same old 
story ! It's Steele that I hear about, and it's Steele that 
gets half my cases. Danger! Will you kindly tell me 
what under the skies that is dangerous could ever get in 
here? This is an outrage ! Danger! 

LeClair. Eet eez a w^ord zee most unhappy, n'est-ce 
pas? 

Brad. It has been the same thing over and over again. 
Look at that affair two years ago at the Markmans' re- 
ception, when Mr. Markman's papers were stolen. That 
case Vv^as taken away from me, right in the middle of it, 
and given to Steele. 

Elea. It vv^as outrageous, Mr. Bradbury. 

Brad. You remember it, of course. What happened 
after Steele took that case? He failed! The person 
who stole those secrets was never found. And still, Mrs. 
Middlebrook, you wish him to take my place here. 

Mrs. M. But I don't want you to leave. I 

Brad. I've given you the best possible protection, and 
still I'm to be ousted "again for that man! (Bitterly.) 
Oh, I see nov/ what it means to have the reputation ! 
Give a reputation to the biggest, most conceited bungler 
in the United States, and he's it! 

Marg. (moving quickly toward the hall door). Ex- 
cuse me, please, Eleanor, but would you mind if I should 
take a walk in the garden? 

Elea. Why, of course not. But — ^ 



THE SUBMAtllNE SHELL 19 

Ma"RG. Thank yon. {She leaves.) 

MiDD. You see, it is as I said. We are wearying our 
guests by this — er — useless discussion. 

Brad. You may call it useless, Mr. Middlebrook, and 
you may dismiss me from your service. But it's all on 
account of a danger that never could exist. Listen, 
please. No stranger could ever hope to set foot inside 
your grounds ! 

Mrs. M. {incensed at last.) I do not intend to argue 
this matter with you, Mr. Bradbury ! I have already sent 
for Inspector Steele! 

MiDD. Er — Lucy ! 

Mrs. M. He has promised to let me know within an 
hour. I haven't a doubt that he will come. And I wish 
cooperation from you, Mr. Bradbury ! 

(Middlebrook and Bradbury are nearly stupefied by 
the nezvs. In the library door the butler Herman is 
standing, staring in consternation.) 

Brad, {after a silence). Very well, Mrs. Middle- 
brook. But ril tell you once again: you're most unfair 
to me. 

{He strides out into the hall, choking zvith indignation. 
Eleanor follozvs.) 

MiDD. Er — this — er — this disturbance is very unfor- 
tunate, Monsieur LeClair. Most unfortunate indeed. I 
trust both you and the Professor will — er — overlook it. 

Vv^EST. It is for a half hour now that I haf oferlooked 
it, Herr Middlebrook. With your permission, I vould 
nov/ oferlook the laboratory. 

MiDD. With — er — great pleasure, gentlemen. 

{He knocks on the laboratory door, and requests Kraft 
to remain on watch at the entrance. Middlebrook, 
LeClair and Westerberg enter the laboratory. 
Mrs. Middlebrook crosses to the library door, call- 
ing the butler. Enter Herman.) 

Mrs. M. I am expecting a telegram very soon, Wil- 
liam. Kindly let me know the moment it arrives. 



20 THE SUBMARINE SFJELL 

Herman. Very good, ma'am. {Exit Mrs. Middle- 
brook. Herman is left alone with -Kraft, zvho is out- 
side the laboratory door, on watch.) It is the worst! 

Kraft. Then it is Steele ? 

Herman. She has sent for him. She beheves he will 
come. The v/ork is ruined ! 

Kraft. Not yet ! Not yet ! 

Herman. But at ten to-night the agents land ! 

Kraft. Wait ! Who is that young v/oman visiting 
here ? Is her name Linden ? Am I right ? 

Herman. Yes — Linden. But 

Kraft. Gott ! What fortune ! Then let Steele come, 
my friend ! 

LIerman. But again he will outwit us, and beat us. 
Five times has he beaten Tom Cloff ; he 

Kraft. Wait ! That's all. 

Herman. But what is your plan? 

Kraft. I'll show you. He may beat us; he knows 
our game. He'll not beat Miss Linden, for he will trust 
her. 

Herman. How can you know that? 

Kraft. Ach, Otto, you forget our theft at Herr 
Markman's reception. You forget that I was a butler 
there, my friend. I have eyes, Otto, and 

Herman. Now I begin to understand. You have 
some hold? 

^ Kraft. Gut! Watch me this afternoon. And, mark 
my words, at ten to-night we'll send that laboratory 
northeast by west ! 

Herman. And Steele? 

Kraft. And if Steele comes — he dies! (The door- 
bell rings.) Delia is answering; don't go. Remember, 
Otto, keep your eyes open. Watch for a telegram from 
Steele, and be ready for to-night. Are ye wise to that, 
now, William? 

Enter Delia, followed by a Telegraph Messenger. 
The messenger is tall and ungaijtly. His face is 
unshaven and is marred by a long red scar; he zvears 
a beard. His cap and coat are very badly dilapi- 
dated. His trousers, however, are zvell-fitfing and 



THE SUEiVlAFUNE SHELL 21 

of good niaier'iaL His lozv black shoes are polished. 
His movements are extremely awkward; he zvears 
Jiis cap in the house. Mrs. Middlebrook enters from 
the library. 

Mrs. M. a telegram for me, Delia? 

Delia. Yes, ma'am. But this man, ma'am, he can't 
get a worrd out but once to an hour, ma'am. 

Mrs. M. {to Messenger), You have a telegram for 
me? 

Messenger. F-f-for Mrs. M-M-M-Middlebrook. 

{He hands her a yellow envelope.) 

Mrs. M. Is there an answer? 
Messenger. Y-y-y-yes, ma'am. 

(Mrs. Middlebrook reads. The message is evidently 
quite long. She suddenly gives a start, and reads on. 
Finally she gives the Messenger a quick glance. He 
nods. ) 

Mrs. M. {to Messenger). Very well Wait just a 
moment, please. {To Delia.) Delia, I must summon 
every one in the house to this room at once. 

Delia. Yes, ma'am. [Exit to hall. 

Mrs. M. {to Kraft). James, kindly ask the gentle- 
men in the laboratory to step in here. 

Enter Eleanor, Margaret, Bradbury, and Delia fr,om 
the hall. Middlebrook, LeClair, and Westerberg 
enter from the laboratory, follozved by Kraft, who 
has summoned them. 

MiDD. Why — er — Lucy, what can this mean? 

Mrs. M. {to all). I have just received a telegram 
from Inspector Steele. I would like you all to hear it, 
and advise an answer. 

Midd. Er~this is astonishing of you, Lucy. Most 
astonishing. 

Mrs. M. {reading the telegram). ''Cannot possibly 
come to-day. Do you wish a subordinate ? M. J. Steele." 

Brad. Cannot come! 



It THE SUBMARINE SHELL 

Herman. Mein {Coughs violently.) 

Elea. I thank Heaven for that ! 

Marg. (zvith spirit). And I, too, Eleanor ! 

(LeClair and Westerberg are silent.) 

MiDD. But — er — why have you called us together in 
this manner, Lucy, to hear such a message as that? 

Mrs. M. {indicaling the telegram). It is Inspector 
Steele's wish, Warren. 

MiDD. Er- — Inspector Steele? But — er — I cannot un- 
derstand. Why shouM he arrange such an idiotic affair 
with you ? 

Messenger. Merely to discover, Mr. Middlebrook, 
who are the ones who most desire his absence ! 

Brad, {startled). Who said that? 

MiDD. Er — where was that voice ? Who spoke ? 

Messenger. Don't be alarmed, Mr. Middl"ebrook. It 
was only an innocent telegraph messenger, whose hair 
makes a very poor match with his beard ! 

{He removes his cap. The heard and scar come zvith 
it. He straightens up to six feet three.) 

MiDD. Er — the Inspector! 
Brad. Steele ! 

(Herman chokes. The others are dumfounded by the 
revelation.) 

Steele {shaking his head with a smile). Merely a 
messenger, after all, Mr. Middlebrook, {He bozvs in the 
direction of Eleanor and Margaret.) Very evidently 
an unwelcome messenger, sir, but he comes with a warn- 
ing — for you ! 



CURTAIN 



ACT II 

SCENE.— The same as Act I. August 12, 1:30 p. m. 
A small table has been placed in the center of the room. 
In chairs around the table are gathered Middlebrook, 
LeClair, Westerberg, and Steele. Steele is tall 
and powerfidly built. His face is clear-cut and snioolh- 
shaven. His every movement bears witness to his 
never-failing energy and his dauntless will-pozver. 
One can make no accurate estimate as to his age. 
Ordinarily, his very quiet speech and deliberate actions 
ivoidd suggest a man perhaps as old as forty; while at 
times of excitement or danger, the startling quickness 
of his movements, and the sharp, ringing tones of his 
voice, zvoidd indicate that he coidd not have passed 
thirty. He is a man to whom the opinion of the world 
matters little; he has but one ideal — to serve America. 
A very light luncheon for four, consisting of salad, 
cake, and hot chocolate, has been served, and the wen 
have nearly completed their repast. 

(Herman is bringing in a tray with tzvo cups of choco- 
late. He places these before LeClair and Wester- 
berg. ) 

MiDD. Won't you — er — change your mind, Inspector, 
and have another cup of chocolate ? 

Steele. I beUeve not, thank you, Mr. Middlebrook. 

MiDD. But — er — perhaps you will have a little more 
salad ? 

Steele. Fve had a great plenty, thank you. 

MiDD. And Monsieur LeClair, perhaps you would 
care for a little. 

LeClair. Merci, Monsieur Middlebrook, but one has 
served m.e of a great sufficiency of zee salad. But zee 
chocolate, eet eez indescribable — so delicious. 

MiDD. And — er — Professor Westerberg? 

n 



24 ItiE SUBMARINE SHELL 

West. It is most excellent — the salat, Herr Middle- 
brook. I should most heartily enjoy — — 

MiDD. Certainly. Er — William, a little more of the — ■ 
er — salad, for Professor Westerberg. (Herman takes 
the plate.) And — er — William, I — er — have a sugges- 
tion to make, which might make this helping a little 
more — er — enjoyable — to the Professor. Er — a very 
little more salt on the salad, I beheve, might — er — be a 
little improvement. 

Herman. Very good, sir. [Exit. 

(MiDDLEBROOK passes the cake again to his three guests. 
LeClair and Westerberg accept a second piece, but 
Steele declines.) 

MiDD. I trust, gentlemen, that — er — that you 

(He pauses sudde^ily, with an expression of annoyance 
upon his face. From the direction of the hall, which 
evidently leads into the dining-room, comes the sound 
of loud voices. Delia and Herman can be heard 
in a rather heated argument upon some unknown 
subject. As the noise continues, Middlebrook's 
exasperation becomes more and more apparent. At 
length Herman enters, in considerable confusion.) 

Herman {awkwardly). I am very sorry, sir, but — 
er — I am afraid, sir, that Delia will — will not be able to 
salt the salad. 

MiDD. I — er — I don't understand, William. 

Herman. She declares, sir, that — er — that the salt 
is gone. 

SliDD. Er — William, I surely don't 

Herman. Your pardon, sir, but she maintains that 
hit 'as been stolen, and 'opes that you will not blame 'er 
for the matter. 

MiDD. Er — stolen ? 

Herman. That is 'er statement, sir. According to 'er 
remarks, sir, there was plenty last evening. But this 
morning, she says, hevery salt-cellar was hempty, and hall 
the salt 'ad disappeared from the box in the kitchen cup- 
board. I am very sorry, sir. 

MiDD. Why — er — how extraordinary. Er — rather re- 



THE SUBMARINE SHELL 25 

markable. I consider such an — er — occurrence quite un- 
heard-of. Very well, William — never mind the salt for 
the present. 

Herman. Very good, sir. I am sorry. [Ej^it. 

MiDD. Yes, yes, that was certainly^er — most unusual. 

LeClair. Pardon, Monsieur, but might eet not have 
been zee resultant of some hemispheric conditions? 

MiDD. Er 

LeClair. You comprehend, n'est-ce pas? Zee hemi- 
spheric conditions — zee conditions of zee air. 

MiDD. Oh — er — oh, I understand. Why — er — I hardly 
think such a thing possible. Monsieur LeClair. Quite im- 
probable, at any rate. Er — wouldn't that be your opinion, 
Mr. Steele? 

Steele (laughing). Such a thing would be a bit re- 
markable, to say the least, Mr. Middlebrook. That is, 
unless your atmosphere here is somewhat — unusual. 

West. Ant I agree, Herr Steele. I cannot see the 
possibility. 

LeClair. Eef eet had been of money which you had 
missed, Monsieur, one might suggest a thefting. But zee 
salt — who would want him? C'est ridicule! (Herman 
returns zvith the salad for Westerberg, and leaves.) 
But, Monsieur Middlebrook, in regard to zee compound 
which you prepare for us, Eet eez at four o'clock, 
n'est-ce pas, that you shall have linished him? 

Mii^D. Finislied him, you said? Er — of whom are 
you speaking? 

LeClair. Ah, pardon. Monsieur. Eet eez again my 
mistake, I i^erceive. Zee compound, I wished to say. 
You comprehend. Monsieur. 

MiDD. Er — yes. At four o'clock, Monsieur LeClair. 
But Mr. Steele — er — perhaps you have not been told of 
the cause of our visit from these gentlemen. You might 
be interested to hear of this. 

Steele. Yes, indeed, Mr. Middlebrook. To tell the 
truth, I have already been told that they have come for 
your latest dyeing compound. 

LeClair. Ah, Monsieur zee Inspector, but you do 
learn zee truth of everything! Eet eez many times that 
I have remarked this, since I have met \ou in Paris. 



26 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 

Steele (a trifl.c surprised). You met me in Paris? 

LeClair. All, yes, Monsieur. I see well that you do 
not remember me. Eet was at the home of Monsieur 
Rapir, eet eez now three months. Monsieur zee In- 
spector was there, n'est-ce pas ? 

Steele. Quite right. Monsieur LeClair. But there 
were so man}^ gentlemen there 

LeClair. Voila, Messieurs ! Eet eez as I have said ! 

Steele. I beg pardon ? 

LeClair. Ah, Monsieur, you will not be in anger with 
me, because I have spoken of him ! But eet eez once 
again that you say, '' Quite right." 

Steele. And you find something unusual in my say- 
ing that ? 

LeClair. But no, you do not comprehend. Eet eez 
merely because you forever use this expression that I 
have remarked him. I have not wished to offend. 

Steele. Not at all. Monsieur. In fact, now that you 
speak of it, I realize, myself, that I do use those w^ords 
quite often. It's strange how some little expression will 
cling to one person. (He laughs.) 

LeClair. And there eez one other which you have, 
Monsieur. Eet eez "With great success," n'est-ce pas? 

Steele (laughing in amazement). Really, Monsieur 
LeClair, you shouldn't waste your time in a dyeing con- 
cern. With a mind for details such as you have, you 
should be a detective. 

LeClair. A detectif? Mais non ! That eez more to 
zee taste of Monsieur zee Professor Westerberg, I be- 
lieve. 

Steele (quickly). You are interested in that line of 
work. Professor? 

West. Nein, nein. Dat vas a jest, ant notting more, 
I, a detective ever? It is ridiculous! But 
your visit here, Kerr Steele, we have heard little. 

Enter Herman. 

Herman. Detective Bradbury 'as come, sir. 
_ MiDD. Oh, very well, William. I — er — I shall be out 
directly. Kindly tell him. 

Herman. Very good, sir. [Exit. 



THli SUBMARINE SHELL 27 

MiDD. I must see Mr. Bradbury for a few moments, 
gentlemen. (Rises.) Er— excuse me, please. Per- 
haps — er — you would care to take a w^alk in the garden, 
or on the lawn. 

LeClair. With zee greatest pleasure, Monsieur. 

West. Very gladly, Herr Middlebrook. 

MiDD. And — er — Mr. Steele, would you care to ac- 
company them, or would you prefer to — er 

Steele. If you don't mind, Mr. Middlebrook, I feel 
more like taking a chair here and reading. I seem a 
trifle tired to-day. 

MiDD. Certainly. Make yourself quite at home. 
Er — now, gentlemen, shall we proceed ? 

(Exit to hall, with LeClair and Westerberg. Steele, 
left alone, zvalks slowly to a Morris chair near the 
library door. Taking a book from the table near by, 
he seats himself. Enter Mrs. Middlebrook, from 
the library.) 

Mrs. M, Mr. Steele, I haven't yet had a chance to 
thank you for coming so willingly to our aid. 

Steele. No thanks are due at all, I assure you. It 
is my duty to help you at this time. 

Mrs. M. Still, I realize how busy you are during the 
w^ar. It was kind of you to lielp me out, and I appre- 
ciate it. 

Steele. No business could be more urgent than this, 
Mrs. Middlebrook, Your husband is about to do more 
for America than any man living has yet done. Cer- 
tainly it is my duty to protect his home at this critical 
time. 

Mrs. M. I'm so thankful that you see it that way. 
Warren can't understand my fears at all ; he laughs at 
me. First of all, I suppose we must awaken him to the 
real danger. 

Steele (laughing). I believe I have already opened 
his eyes to the inefficiency of his police guard. That 
little scheme of ours provided for that — with great suc- 
cess. But I fear that Mr. Middlebrook is not yet fully 
aweike to his peril. 



28 THli SUBMARINE SHELL 

Mrs. M. Oh, I'm afraid not ! And, even with you 
here, I have a terrible dread of to-night. We might 
make some slip, and something might happen. 

Steele. Please don't worry. 

Mrs. M. But — but the Allies' agents will land to-night 
at ten. 

Steele. Very true. 

Mrs. M. And at ten o'clock that man v/ill blow up the 
laboratory there, unless 

Steele. He will not do it! Rest assured of that. 

Mrs. M. Oh, then you've made sure of this ! You've 
been at work here already, this forenoon. 

Steele. Quite true. 

Mrs. M. And you've discovered Oh, I dread 

the very thought of it ! What have you found ? 

Steele. Absolutely nothing, as yet. 

Mrs. M. Oh ! Yet you're confident that he can never 
succeed ? 

Steele. Quite confident, Mrs. I\Iiddlebrook. His 
scheme will be clever, I know. There is at present no 
explosive of any description in the house. To-night he 
will doubtless manage to have some on hand. 

Mrs. M. But how can he get inside? Certainly not 
as you managed it ! 

Steele. I can't answer that yet. Have you the least 
suspicion of any one? 

Mrs. M. Why, no. That is — except Miss Linden. 
I'm sorry to have to tell you this, "but Warren refuses to 
trust her, although he trusts these foreigners. 

Steele {laughing dryly). There's Mr. Middlebrook 
again. I must awaken him ! 

Mrs. M. Then you don't suspect Miss Linden, as he 
does? 

Steele {hesitating). Why should I, please? 

Mrs. M. Why, there's no reason. I merely thought — 
well — after your unpleasant experience with her, you 
know. 

Steele. You've heard of that, then? {He shakes his 
head slowly.) No, Mrs. Middlebrook. I'll tell you the 
truth. I would sooner suspect the President himself. 

Mrs. M. Oh, I'm so glad to hear that ! It's— it's so 



THE SUBMARINE SHELL 2g 

unjust to her, you know, to have Warren feel this way. 
I really — — 

Enter MiDDLEBROOK, accompanied by Bradbury. 

MiDD. Ah, yes. Here is the Inspector. 
Brad. Good-afternoon, Mrs. Middlebrook. 

{He gives Steele a curt nod.) 

Steele. A very pleasant day, Mr. Bradbury. 

MiDD. We were just — er — looking for you, Mr. Steele. 
There is one other matter which I think should be brought 
to your attention. 

Steele. You mean the warning letter Vvliich Mrs. 
Middlebrook described to me? 

MiDD. Why — er — upon my word! Er — quite aston- 
ishing, Mr, Steele. Yes, I have just been discussing it 
v/ith Mr. Bradbury. He is novv^^er — quite confident 
that this affair is merely a boast, in spite of his — er — 
previous suggesting that I concede to this atrocious 
demand. 

Steele {turning quickly to Bradbury). You advised 
him to abandon work upon the shell? 

Brad, {rather insolently). You've said it exactly, 
Steele. At that time I was averse to his placing his 
family in such peril. 

Steele. But you feel now that this peril is not worth 
considering ? 

Brad. Just that. Such a disaster is impossible ; the 
whole business is not worth thinking about. Explosion 
at ten to-night ! Bah ! 

Steele. I must differ from you on that point. The 
letter, please, Mr. Middlebrook. 

MiDD. {searching his pockets). Ah, yes, indeed, the 
letter. A_ most outlandish comimunication it was, too. 
Here it is, I believe. Most atrocious, Mr. Steele. And 
signed by a — er — person who is quite — er — unJieard-of. 
A most unusual signature. 

{Starts to open the envelope.) 

Steele {without taking the letter). Most unusual 
signature, you say ? The name is " Tom Clofi " ? 



30 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 

MiDD. Why — er — how remarkable ! 

Brad. Then youVe heard of hlni, too! 

Mrs. M. Is there really any such German agent? 

Steele. There certainly is, Mrs. Middlebrook. 

MiDD. Er — this is alarming. Quite shocking, in fact. 

Brad. What do you know of him, Steele? 

Steele (dryly). Almost as much as I knew before I 
started trying to trace him, nearly three years ago. 

Mrs. M. But who is he? 

Steele. That is just the perplexing point, Mrs. 
Middlebrook. Under the name of " Tom Cloff " some 
shrewd man is constantly active against the United 
States, in close communication with the better known 
William Von Holtzer. Other than this, I know nothing. 
I have searched for these men since the beginning of the 
war, without success. 

Mrs. M. And now this agent is coming here to 
destroy the laboratory. This is terrible ! 

MiDD. But — er — surely this danger is not real ! 

Steele. Too real, Mr. Middlebrook. The letter, if 
you please. (He takes the letter.) 

Brad. You can learn nothing from that. I've been 
over it three times. 

Steele. Mailed from New York City. Postmark 
could reveal nothing. Letter itself typewritten. Signa- 
ture scrawled, with writing well disguised. 

Brad. Quite evident. But that's as far as you can go. 

MiDD. (nozv agitated). Yes, yes. I fear so. 

Steele. Perhaps. Almost, at any rate. {Examines 
the envelope.) Envelope of ordinary paper. Addressed 
very hurriedly. 

Brad. Why so? 

Steele. Ink used is same as used in letter for signa- 
ture. In the signature it was allowed to dry after writ- 
ing; on the envelope it w^as blotted at once. Result: 
criminal's handwriting excellently disguised in signature; 
poorly disguised on envelope. 

MiDD. Astonishing, Mr. Steele ! 

Brad. Poorly disguised on the envelope? Plow — 
how can you tell that? 

Steele. Oh, it's very superficial there. The writer 



THE SUBMARINE SHELL 3I 

has not taken the time necessary to do such a thing 
properly. Probably a slip on his part; every criminal 
makes a slip some time. 

Brad. But what do we gain? 

Steele. The key to his real handwriting. TU tell you 
a law that is absolutely infallible. Whenever any person 
with a distinctive handwriting makes a careless attempt 
to disguise that handwriting, he merely succeeds in 
emphasizing its peculiarities all the more noticeably. 

Brad. All very interesting, I'm sure. 

Steele. Look at the capital " R " there. In the 
signature it is changed ; on the envelope it is the writer's 
own " R," merely tilted a little to the right. Or look at 
the " d's " in " Middlebrook." Scrawled, but still quite 
distinctive. There are a few other points, also. 

(Bradbury is silent in astonishment.) 

Mrs. M. But we can't catch the man this way, Mr. 
Steele, and to-night is coming. 

Steele. To-night, Mrs. Middlebrook, will take care 
of itself. And in the meantime 

(He pauses, thought fully.) 

Brad. And in the meantime, what can we do ? 

Steele. We can hunt, Mr. Bradbury, for the man 
with a capital " R " that is formed like an " H " and an 
" F," and two " d's " that are surely not mates. That's 
about all. 

Enter Eleanor from' the hall, follozved by Margaret. 
Herman follows at once, carrying a box tied with 
red ribbon. 

Elea. (to Herman). That is my almond candy, 
William. Just put it in the table drawer there, for the 

present. Come, Margaret, we (She hesitates, 

noticing the four people gathered around the letter. 
Steele places the envelope in his pocket. Herman 
obeys Eleanor's request, and leaves. Margaret is 
carrying a small blue knitting-bag, made of cloth, zvith 
several knitting-needles protruding.) Are v/e interrupt- 
mg something important? 



^2 THE SUilMARINE SHELL 

MiDD. Why — er — no, my dear. We had practically 
finished. In fact — er — Mr. Bradbury and I were on the 
point of making a round of the grounds outside. 

Mrs. M. Yes, everything seems settled for the present. 
Margaret, you met Inspector Steele this morning, didn't 
you ? 

Marg. Yes, Mrs. Middlebrook. (She bozvs coldly. 
Steele returns the salutation in silence.) I was thinking 
of knitting a little while in the garden. 

Brad. You are knitting for the army, Miss Linden? 

Marg. Yes, indeed. 

(She opens the bag upon the table, displaying several 
articles. ) 

Brad. It seems as though you are always doing some- 
thing for the country. Here you've just come from 
France, and you're busy already. 

Marg. I'm ahvays willing to do my part, Mr. Brad- 
bury. 

Brad. That's right. We must all do that now. IVe 
seem to do very little — we secret service men — but vv^e are 
active every minute, I can tell you. 

Marg. I have never doubted that for an instant, Mr. 
Bradbury. 

Mrs. M. But you spoke of v/anting to knit, Margaret. 
Let's find some chairs in the garden, while these gentle- 
men are making their inspection. 

MiDD. Er — yes, indeed, our inspection. You are 
ready, Mr. Bradbury? 

Brad. Any minute. Coming, Inspector? 

Steele. I don't believe I'll be of niucli use at present, 
Bradbury. I'll wait here, if you don't mind. 

MiDD. Certainly not. Er- — let us proceed, Mr. Brad- 
bury. (Middlebrook and Bradbury leave.) 

Mrs. M. Come, let's go into the garden. It's too 
wonderful outside to be indoors. Would you — won't 
you come with us, Mr. Steele ? 

Steele. Thank you, Mrs. Middlebrook. I think, 
however, that I'll read a few m.oments. On some cases, 
you see, I'm very fond of being alone at times. 



T;HE SUBMARINE SHELE ^J 

{Exit Mrs. Middlebrook. She is follozved by Elea- 
nor a/'i^ Margaret, who has , evidently forgotten to 
take her knitting-bag from the table. Steele again 
takes liis bock to the Morris chair, and leisurely seats 
himself. But again there is an interruption when 
Margaret reappears at. the hall door. Unobserved 
by the Inspector, she hesitates, and glances several 
times toward the table. At length she crosses the 
room ratJier hurriedly, and goes to the table. In her 
haste to return to the garden, she grasps the knitting- 
bag quickly. It slips and falls to the floor, just as 
Steele glances up from his book. Numerous 
articles are upset upon the carpet. Steele rises 
quickly and begins to restore them.) 

Marg. How careless of me! (Steele gathers up 
several knitted articles, and a small ball of red yarn. 
Margaret recovers two other balls, of gray color. 
Steele then stoops and picks up two small, peculiarly 
shaped fl.asks, of very dark green glass. He is evidently 
quite puzded as he scrutinizes these.) Oh, thank you, 

very much. It was Oh, those — those are perfume 

holders, Mr. Steele. 

Steele {nodding slowly, and still examining the little 
bottles). I see. For a moment I couldn't make out what 
they could be. 

Marg. They're of a very unusual design, I believCo 
You see, Eleanor is just crazy to have me knit a couple 
of hangers for these two holders — something a bit artis- 
tic, she wants. It's a rather strange notion of hers. 

Steele {restoring the bottles). Yes, I suppose so. 
You'll pardon me, but it really seemed even a trifle more 
strange to be carrying such articles in a knitting-bag — 
especially to-day. You — you're quite sure that Miss 
Middlebrook really was anxious for you to 

Marg. {taking the bag quickly). I really think, Mr. 
Steele, that the question was quite unnecessary. 

Steele. I — er — beg pardon? 

Marg. I don't enjoy having my property examined as 
though it might contain bombs or something. I don't 
consider it your place to do this. Do you understand ? 



34 THH SUHMARIKn SHELL 

Stei:le (glancing up m quick surprise, and nodding 
slozvly). I do understand now, quite clearly, Miss Lin- 
den. 

Marg. I trust you understand everything about this 
matter. 

Steele. Ah, no. Miss Linden, that is my great 
deficiency. I understand America's interests, and how 
they should be served. Beyond this, I never understand 
anything. There lies my stupidity. 

Marg. Please do not say any more. You are at the 
head of our secret service. You have forced me to spend 
two years in France. I have obeyed ; I am an American. 
But I have no desire to converse with you upon any sub- 
ject. Is — is that clear? 

Steele (controlling his temper with an effort, and turn- 
ing toward the library door). Quite clear, Miss Linden. 
(He hesitates.) I — I'll not trouble you further. [Exit. 

(Margaret exhibits great indignation, staring toward 
the door where Steele had stood. The laboratory 
door opens suddenly. Kraft enters, closing the 
door behind him.) 

Kraft (crossing to hall door). Mornin', Miss Linden. 

Marg. Good-morning, James. You quite startled me 
for an instant. Why, James, what are you doing? 
(Kraft closes the hall door. He crosses quickly to the 
library, and closes the door there.) James, Vvhat are 
you doing? 

Kraft (quickly). Not a word. Miss Linden! 

Marg. Why, what do you mean by speaking to me in 
this way? I shall report you to Mr. Middlebrook at once. 

(She starts toward the hall door.) 

Kraft (darting forward and intercepting her). No 
you don't, Miss Linden! 

Marg. How dare you ? Open that door at once ! 

Kraft. When I am ready. Keep quiet ! 

Marg. Open that door ! I 

Kraft. Wait a minute, please. Now listen, 

Marg. I shall call Delia this instant. 



THE SUBMARINE SHELL 35 

Kraft. No, you will not. Not when you remem- 
ber 

Marg. I won't stand this ! 

Kraft. One moment, please. Not when you remem- 
ber the evening of June 27, 191 7, at the reception of 
Charles Markman ! (Margaret starts visibly.) Ah! 
You recall that evening, I observe. Perhaps — just per- 
haps — you may have memories of the butler Walters. I 
wonder. Miss Linden, 

Marg. (zviih another start). You ! You are Walters ! 

Kraft. I am. 

Marg. Then you are the man who aided in the theft 
of those papers ! I shall have you arrested at once ! 

Kraft. But no, my dear Miss Linden. You will not. 
My name is not James McGrady. Nor is it Walters. I 
am Hans Kraft, of the German Secret Service. 

Marg. A spy! You're here to blow up Mr, Middle- 
brook's laboratory ! 

Kraft. Ach, now you have it. That is my purpose 
to-night. 

Marg. Then it shall fail, Mr. Kraft! I shall 

Kraft. You're wrong. Miss Linden. We shall }iot 
fail, with your help ! 

Marg. With ;;?y How dare you say this ? 

Kraft. I'll tell you how I dare, Miss Linden. Lm 
very brave indeed, when I remember the timely assistance 
of a certain young woman who so cleverly hid the slolen 
papers for us at the 

Marg. (stunned). Oh! You — you gave your Vvord 
to never mention that ! 

Kraft. Ach, what is a promise with us ? I serve the 
Fatherland ! And thus I say I shall not fail to-night, 
with your assistance, 

Marg. I'll not hear another word of this ! Open that 
door, sir ! 

Kraft (stepping forward). With great pleasure, 
ril open it and inform the honored Mr. Middlebrook 
about a certain treacherous young lady whom I could 
mention, who has three times aided the Fatherland, and 
who is now 

Marg. Oh, you coward! 



3& 'FUE submarine SilliLL 

Kraft. You understand, Miss Linden? Perhaps ibis 
letter here, dropped by this traitoress two years ago,, 
would add force to my statements. (Margaret is silent.) 
You see. Miss Linden, I hold the winning cards. 

Marg. {with an effort). So I observe, 

Kraft. You will assist, perhaps? Is it not just 
possible ? 

Marg. Oh, very well. I must, that's all. I must! 

Kraft. Gut ! And now to business, nicht wahr ? 
One man alone can block our success to-night. That is 
Lispcctor Steele. 

Marg. Yes, yes. But what 

Kraft. I've fought that man before, Miss Linden. 
I've fought him and lost. I can't beat him to-niglit. 
He'll outguess me ; he'll outguess Herman ; he'll outguess 
Tom Cloff himself. But you, Miss Linden, he will trust ! 

Marg. {starting violently). You're mad to think such 
a thing ! He is my enemy ! He 

Kraft. Ach, no, Miss Linden. He is an actor; that 
is all. A clever man — Inspector Steele. But he v/ill 
trust you as a loyal American. It v/as Herman, the but- 
ler, who overheard him to-day as he declared so. 

Marg. Overheard that? Why — this — this is certainly 
impossible. I — I'll not believe one word of it. But what 
is your wish ? 

Kraft. I'll show you. You are not Steele's friend at 
present. I heard you use offending words to him. But 
he ^vill forget in one minute, when you apologize. 

Marg. 'I'll never! 

Kraft. Oh, yes. I think you will. Remember 

Marg. Oh, this is 

Kraft. Enough of that. Nov/ listen, please. In- 
spector Steele will bar our way to-night. Mein Gott ! 
If I could but slay him with my own hands! Tve tried 
shooting him; I've tried poison; I've tried explosives: — 
all to no avail. He is too quick. But to-night 

{YiKKGAR^T suddenly' draws hack in horror.) 

MyVRG. You mean to — to kill the Inspector? Here, 
in this house? 



THE SUBMARINE SHELL 



37 



Kraft. He dies at ten to-night! We'll win this 
time — with your help. 

Marg. You'll not have my help ! I'll tell Mr. Middle- 
brook this instant ! 

Kraft. Very well. I'll let him know about the young- 
lady who hid Markman's stolen secrets. 

Marg. Oh, you are terrible ! I'll never help you do 
this frightful thing! 

Kraft (drazving the letter from his pocket). Oh, 
very well, Miss Linden. We'll have a reckoning, 

Marg. Oh, I can't help you to kill — any one ! 

Kraft. You really can't? 

(Margaret stands silent, in great agitation. Kraft 
waits quietly.) 

Marg. (at length). Oh — then — very well. I must, 
that's all. 

Kraft. Gut ! Go to the hall door, please, and listen 
carefully. I must not be interrupted now ; it might cost 
both our lives. Go quickly, please. (Margaret obeys in 
silence. Kraft springs to the table. He unlocks and 
opens a drawer. There is a tearing of paper. He re- 
closes the drawer. Two small bottles are held in his 
hand.) This, Miss Linden, is the way I intend to kill 
Inspector Steele. Look, please. 

Marg. {turning away). I don't wish to see it. 

Kraft. But I wish you to. See here. I have two 
bottles, each filled with a liquid, and smuggled here in 
secrecy by our agents. I shall presently mix these two 
liquids. Do you know what will be formed- — vdiat gas 
vs^ill be set free ? .Cyanogen ! 

Marg. Cyanogen ? 

Kraft. Yes. That is Prussic acid gas — the deadliest 
poison known to man. One whiff of that gas is fatal to 
human life. 

Marg. Oh, that is horrible! 

Kraft. You must handle this carefully, Miss Linden. 

Marg. I? Am I to touch that? 

Kraft. You must ! He'll v/atch me every instant to- 
night. If you try, you can make him trust you. Do it, 



38 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 

that's all. Have you any glass receptacle for these 
liquids? A bottle, or something? 

Marg. Why, no, I Oh, yes. I have a cou 

I — I have a small glass flask in this knitting-bag. Is — is 
this all right? {She draws out a glass flask, which has 
already been described.) It is a perfume flask. 

Kraft. Gut ! Is any one near ? 

Marg. They'll return for me any minute. 

Kraft. They'll not. Otto attended to that. Stand 
away now, for your life. {Holding the bottles at arm's 
length, he pours a little of each liquid into the green 
flask, quickly screwing on the cover. He shakes the 
flask car ef idly.) There, Miss Linden. There is death 
for Inspector Steele ! Put this in your bag at once. Win 
back his trust. Keep near him after seven o'clock this 
evening. He'll watch my every action. I'll rely on you, 
absolutely. When I give the word, you're to hand that 
flask to me. I'll throw it ! Is that clear ? 

Marg. Very clear indeed, Mr. Kraft. {A pause.) 
I — I'll do it ! And in payment 

Kraft. My silence. 

Marg. Very well. This evening. 

Kraft. That's. it. Ring for V/illiam, please. 

{He replaces the bottles of liquid in the table drazver, 
and locks it. Margaret rings. Enter Herman 
from the hall.) 

Herman. How about it, sir? Miss Linden 

Kraft. Is with us. We cannot fail. 

Herman. And the gas? 

Kraft. It is ready. Pure cyanogen. Gott im Him- 
mel ! When I smash the flask at his feet, he will crumple 
up like a caterpillar on a hot stove ! 

Marg. You fiend! 

Kraft. No more of this, Miss Linden ! You want 
my silence. You must v/ork for it. Otto, I hear some 
one in the library. Mrs. Middlebrook is waiting for Miss 
Linden in the garden. (Herman and Margaret leave.) 
A brave young woman — with nerve, in spite of all her 
pale appearance. And loyal ! Gott ! She should be 
with the Fatherland, with loyalty such as that ! 



THE SUBMARINE SHELL 39 

Enter Eleanor and Bradbury from the library, followed 

by MiDDLEBROOK. 

MiDD. Er — good-afternoon, James. The — er — the 
afternoon inspection, I believe. 

Kraft. Yes, sor. 

Brad. Yes, inspection, please. You have the key? 

Kraft. Right here, sor. (He unlocks the door.) 

Brad. Very well. Go ahead. I'll be out very soon, 
Mr. Middlebrook. 

(Bradbury enters the laboratory, follozved by Kraft.) 

Elea. It's a nuisance, Father — this inspection every 
day. There's hardly a minute that I don't have to wait 
for something. 

Mtdd. I know, my dear. It is — er — trying. 

Elea. (with a sigh). Oh, well, I suppose I may as 
well answer Edith Anderson's letter. (She goes to the 
table, and finds a pen.) Father, where has the writing- 
paper gone ? 

Midd. Oh — er — I laid it in the right hand drawer, 
my dear. The — er— the ink is there, also, all except that 
red ink there. I — er — I'll get it. (He tries the 
drawer.) Why — er- — this drawer seems to be — er — 
locked. 

Elea. Oh, never mind, then. I'll just borrow Mr. 
Bradbury's fountain-pen. You'd not mind if I went in 
there to get it? 

Midd. Why — er — certainly you may go, my dear. Of 
course. 

Elea. I'll come right out, and not touch a single thing. 

(Exit to laboratory. Middlebrook returns and tries 
the locked drawer several times. He is quite pus- 
zled.) 

Midd. This Is quite strange. Very strange indeed. 
(He shakes the drawer.) It is — er — quite unaccountable 
that this drawer should be locked. I — er — I can't under- 
stand (There is a loud scream front the laboratory, 

followed by the sound of excited voices.) Why, upon my 
word ! Er — what is that ? 



40 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 

{He hastens forzvard. The laboratory door opens, 
Kraft enters hastily. He is follozved by Eleanor 
and Bradbury. Eleanor's right hand is wrapped 
in a handkerchief. She is evidently in great pain.) 

Elea. Oh, Father, this awful stuff is Oh, it's 

terrible ! 

MiDD. Why — er — Eleanor, what is it ? 

Brad. Oh, be quick, Mr. Middlebrook ! She's burned 
her hand — terribly. I upset a beaker full of acid all over 
the back of her hand. It's eating right into it ! For 
mercy's sake, do something! You must know what to 
do! 

MiDD. Oh— er 

Elea. It's terrible, Father! 

MiDD. This is shocking, my dear ! It — er 



Brad. Oh, do something, Mr. Middlebrook! Put 
something on it to counteract the acid. 

MiDD. Yes, yes. We must counteract it at once. 
Come, my dear, what was it? 

Elea. Oh, I don't know ! 

MiDD. Er — doesn't any one know? 

Kraft. It was sulphuric acid, sor, concentrated. 
From the beaker on the table, sor. 

MiDD. Concentrated sulphuric acid! Oh, my dear, 
this — er — a great misfortune. We must counteract it at 
once. 

Brad. Do hurry ! What will counteract it — ammonia, 
or what? 

MiDD. Er — yes. Yes, indeed. Strong ammonia is the 
only thing. Er — ring for Delia, James. (Kraft obeys.) 
My poor daughter ! Er— let me see if it is badly burned, 
(He removes the handkerchief. Eleanor gives an ex- 
clamation of pain. The flesh on the back of her hand 
has turned a bright red.) Oh — er — this is most un- 
fortunate ! 

Brad. It's a terrible thing, Mr. Middlebrook. It was 
every bit my fault. 

Enter Delia, in haste. 
Delia. Yes, sir. Is there any trouble? 



THE SUBMARINE SHELL 41 

MiDD. Oh — er^ — Delia, the ammonia. Very quickly, 
please. Er — the large jar out in the closet, you know. 

We must act quickly. Perhaps — er Come right 

out now, my dear, and we'll attend to this. I'm very 
sorry ! Very sorry indeed ! 

(Exit MiDDLEBRooK, with Eleanor and Bradbury. 
Delia follows hastily. Kraft turns tozvard the 
laboratory. Herman enters from the library.) 

Herman. 'Old on a minute, Jim. I 'ave a letter 'ere 
for Mr. Middlebrook. {He glances around the room.) 

Kraft. For Mr. Middlebrook? 

Herman. The letter is a bluff, sir. It was left as a 
blind, just twenty minutes ago. It was Tom Cloif him- 
self, sir, disguised as a hack-driver. Here are his in- 
structions to you, sir. {He unfolds a paper.) 

Kraft. What? Tom Cloff? Then he must have 
come less than ten minutes ago. How could he dare 

{He checks himself.) 

Herman {quickly). What do you mean? Come 
here? When? Who are you talking about? He 

Kraft. Silence ! That was a slip on my part. I 
want no questions. What is this paper? 

EIerman. Our instructions for to-night, sir. He will 
come himself soon after seven, and visit the laboratory. 
He intends to complete the preparation of the explosive 
at that time. It will be chloride of nitrogen, sir. 

Kraft. Chloride of Sh ! Quick! It's Middle- 
brook, right at the door ! Get that out of sight ! 

Enter Middlebrook, in haste. 

MiDD. Upon my word, this is most unfortunate. The 
poor girl is suffering terribly. Oh — er — is that my mail, 
William? 

(Herman is fairly caught, but bluffs desperately.) 

Herman. Hit his a letter for you^ sir. Left by a 
'ackman^ sir. 



42 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 

# 

{He starts to cross the room. He intentionally trips 
over a rug, and apparently saves hiinself by grasping 
the back of the Morris chair with his right hand. 
While he is thus screened from Middlebrook for a 
second, his right hand leaves the incriminating paper 
between the cushion and the woodwork of the chair- 
back, and his left hand adroitly draws the bogus 
letter from his vest pocket. He rises at once and 
hands the letter to Middlebrook, who fails to observe 
the clever stratagem.) 

MiDD. Ah, yes, indeed, for me. Thank you, WilHam. 
But I must see Mrs. Middlebrook at once, about Eleanor's 
injury. (He turns toward the hall door.) 

Steele (from the library doorway). I trust your 
daughter has not been seriously hurt, Mr. Middlebrook. 

(Herman and Kraft turn quickly, to find Steele 
entering. Herman starts. ) 

MiDD. Why — er — upon my word, you startled me ! 

Steele. Tm very sorry.' I certainly didn't intend to. 
But I heard considerable excitement in the kitchen, and 
it seemed as though Miss Middlebrook had perhaps met 
with some accident. 

MiDD. Er — yes, yes. You are right. It was most 
unfortunate, Mr. Steele. The poor girl has burned her 
hand very badly with sulphuric acid. Very badly indeed. 

Steele. Sulphuric acid ! Indeed ! It will cause a ter- 
rible burn, I fear. I'm sorry to hear of it. You've 
counteracted the acid, of course. 

MiDD. Er — yes. I thrust her hand directly into a 
gallon jar of strong ammonia. And — er — that reminds 
me, James. Kindly make certain at once that no more 
such acids are left about the laboratory. 

Kraft. Very well, sir. I'll attend to it. 

[Exit to laboratory. 

MiDD. Now, if you'll excuse me, Mr. Steele, I must 
summon Mrs. Middlebrook. 

Steele. Certainly. I'm very sorry that such an ac- 
cident has happened. 

(Ejiit Middlebrook, Steele strolls to the table^ and 



THE SUBMARINE SHELL 



43 



glances over a pile of books. Herman stands in an 
azvkward silence, casting apprehensive glances in the 
direction of the Morris chair. He starts to approach 
the chair, hut Steele turns away from the table and 
walks slowly to the mantelpiece near the library door. 
Herman, alarmed, turns the Morris chair a trifle, 
to hide the back from the Inspector. Steele, sur- 
veying the mantel, makes no move to leave.) 

Herman {taking a box from the table). Per'aps you 
would 'ave a cigar, Mr. Steele. You could smoke 'ere or 
on the veranda, sir. 

Steele. I believe not, thank you, William. I never 
smoke. 

Herman. Can I do hanything helse for you, sir? A 
book or magazine, per'aps, in the library, sir. 

(Steele considers the matter.) 

Steele. Why, I'm hardly in the mood for fiction this 
afternoon. But — er — there is one kind of book that I 
should particularly like to see for a few minutes. I have 
no doubt that Mr. Middlebrook has such a book. 

Herman {eagerly), li you will step into the library^ 
sir, I'll do my best to locate what you wish. 

Steele. Oh, please don't go to any trouble, William. 
{He still shows no inclination to leave the room.) It 
isn't at all necessary. I merely wished to find a special 
volume of chemistry, on the subject 

Herman. There are two fiill sets of chemistry in the 
library, sir. Hit will be very heasy for me to point them 
out to you. 

Steele. But it really isn't worth while, William. I 
merely wished to brighten up a bit on the preparation 
process for — er — chloride of nitrogen ! 

Herman {unable to restrain a start). Ah — er — yes, 
sir. Very good, sir. I believe I can find hit, sir. 

Steele. Oh, I'm quite sure that I can find it for my- 
self, William. I wouldn't trouble you for the vvorld, 
when you're likely to be so busy very soon. 

Herman {quickly). Busy, sir? I don't — - — 

Steele. Oh, yes, you do. Quite busy with Mr. Mid- 
dlebrook, and explanations. 



44 THlL SUBMARINE SHELL 

Herman (alarmed). Ex- — ~- 

Steele. Yes, explanations. Explanations of a forged 
reference which you handed him four months ago, of a 
pantry window that sometimes squeaks as it opens in the 
dead of night, and of footprints in the garden outside. 

Herman. What do you mean ? It's false ! You have 
no right to accuse me of 

Steele. I accuse you of being a very careless butler, 
William. " Very careless indeed," as Mr. Middlebrook 
would say. You lose the salt at times. You forget to 
lock windows. You trip over rugs, and leave scraps of 
paper in most unheard-of places ■ 

Herman (starting). It is a lie, sir! You have no 
right to talk like this ! It is wholly unwarranted, sir ! 
I 

Steele. Stop ! You're wrong ! (He crosses to the 
Morris chair, and rests his arms upon the back.) You 
don't mean that " it is wholly unwarranted," I'm very 
sure. You mean, " Hit his 'oily hunwarranted," don't 
you — William ? 

Herman (starting back). Ach Himmel ! 

Steele. Ah, that's more like it, Mr. Herman ! That's 
more like the man I met in Berlin last January. Oh, one 
moment, please, before you leave. I-^I fear you've quite 
forgotten your property. (He draws the concealed paper 
from the chair-back, and tosses it at Herman's feet. JJ^ith 
a laugh.) Take this to Mr. Kraft, Herman — with my 
compliments. Tell him that the walls are solid, and the 
floor's all right, but the man behind the library door two 
minutes ago has one pair of eyes and a couple of ears to 
match. That's all — until this evening. 

(Herman stands an instant in terrified silence. Then 
he snatches the paper from the floor and flees to the 
laboratory door. He glances back in dread.) 

Herman. Mein Gott ! What have I done ? 

(Exit to laboratory in terror. Inspector Steele drops 
back into the Morris chair and shakes in silent 
laughter. ) 

CURTAIN 



3?: 



ACT III 

SCENE. — Middlebrook's private experimental labora- 
tory. 7.70 p. M. The room is a plain one, without 
windows, and is fitted out with numerous pieces of 
chemical apparatus. There are two large tables, at l. 
and R. Each is covered with complicated glass ap- 
paratus. Door at r. opening into living-room. Door 
in c. to closet containing chemicals. Door to storage 
closet at L. In the farther left-hand corner is a large 
object, carefully covered by white canvas. On the wall 
at R., about eight feet from the floor, a large black box, 
is visible. Lozver down, there is a small red fixture 
similar to the one in the living-room. 

(MiDDLEBROOK is at work with Kraft at the table at 
L. He is making tests with several liquids, while his 
assistant tabidates the results.) 

MiDD. Two more tests, James. First — er — with dilute 
hydrochloric acid. {He pours a liquid into a test-tube.) 
No reaction, James. 

Kraft. Yes, sor. No reaction. 
; MiDD. Lastly, with — with ammonium hydroxide. {He 
adds another liquid.) Ah, yes, indeed. White precipi- 
tate, James, you observe. 

Kraft. Yes, sor. {Makes a note.) 

MiDD. That is — er — quite satisfactory. Very satis- 
factory indeed. My guests will be greatly pleased by this. 
'{A knock upon the door.) Er — who it is, please? Is 
that Mr. Bradbury? {Without ansivering, Steele enters 
•from the living-room.) Ah, yes, indeed. Inspector. Er — 
come right in; 

Steele. Thank you. It seems advisable for me to 
.examine this place a little, Mr. Middlebrook. 

MiDD. " Certainly. James, you may— er — you may 
inform Monsieur LeClair and Professor Westerberg that 
the dye compound is finished. 
. Kraft. Very well, sor. [Exit to living-room,^ 

V ■ - ' 45 



46 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 

MiDD. Is there — er — anything in particular, Mr. 
Steele? 

Steele. I'd like a general idea of the place, that's all. 
{He glances around slowly.) What is that door there, 
Mr. Middlebrook? (Points to door at c.) 

MiDD. That is my material closet. 1 keep all the — 
er — chemicals there. And this other door (indicating 
the one at l.) leads to my storage closet. All my ap- 
paratus is kept there. 

Steele. They are both locked ? 

MiDD. The — er — the chemical closet is always locked 
by a combination lock. This other closet here is closed 
merely by an ordinary spring-lock, which always requires 
a key to open it. 

Steele. I see. There is no real need for a safety 
lock in that case. The living-room door, then, is the 
only possible means of exit from this laboratory. The 
place has no windows, I observe. I suppose those two 
sky-lights (pointing overhead) furnish plenty of light- in 
the daytime. (He points to the canvas-covered object in 
the corner.) That, I suppose, is the gun which fires your 
shell. 

MiDD. Er — yes, Mr. Steele. You are correct. I keep 
it always covered, you see. 

Steele. Very wise, Mr. Middlebrook. That is a 
marvelous invention, sir — by all odds the greatest that 
I have ever seen. Let the success of your shell be once 
proven, and we shall have little fear for our safety on the 
sea. But what is this on the table here, Mr, Middle- 
brook? (He has approached the table at r.) 

MiDD. Oh, yes, indeed. A rather complicated ap- 
paratus, Mr. Steele. A dye preparation arrangement. 

Steele. Oh, yes, Mr. Middlebrook, so I observe. But 
I meant this small bottle of red liquid here. 

(He picks up a little bottle from ike edge of tJie table.) 

MiDD. Why — er — why, I certainly don't understand 
that at all. What can it be? And it is uncorked. 1 
certainly told James not to leave any more substances 
lying uncovered here. (Steele smells the liqvJd, and 
examines it car ef idly.) Er — could it be acid, with litmus? 



THE SUBMARINE SHELL 



47 



Steele. Possibly. It looks to me more like red ink. 
It has the smell of ink, also. There's the stopper, on the 
floor. {He stoops and recovers it.) 

MiDD. I cannot possibly imagine where this could 
have come from. 

(Steele very thoughtfully replaces the bottle upon 
the table. He then points to the large black alarm- 
box on the wall.) 

Steele. I'd like to make sure that that alarm is re- 
liable, Mr. Middlebrook. I believe I'd better take a look 
at it. {He takes a chair and stands on it.) 

MiDD. Oh — er — certainly. 

Steele. I see that the box is padlocked. There are 
several sets of wires here.' You say that Detective Brad- 
bury arranged this? 

MiDD. Er — yes — Mr. Bradbury. He installed it him- 
self, I understand. 

Steele {nodding). I see. Well, I'll have to get him 
to explain it to me. There appear to be three sets of 
wires. 

MiDD. The alarm is silenced now, of course, by the 
combination. {He goes toward the small red box.) 
I — er — I'll disarrange the combination, if you wish. 

Steele {quickly). No, no! {He steps down from 
the chair.) Not now, Mr. Middlebrook. There is really 
no need to bother about it until later. 

{A knock upon the living-room door. Herman 
enters.) 

Herman {to Middlebrook). Detective Bradbury 'as 
returned, sir. 'E wishes to speak to you in the living- 
room. 

MiDD. Oh — er — very well, William. Please excuse 
me, Mr. Steele. I shall return directly. 

{Exit Middlebrook. Herman starts to follow.) 

Steele. A word with you now, Mr. Herman. (Her- 
man wheels around., instinctively motioning for silence.) 



lUl^ 4*He submarine shell 

Oh, you needn't worry. I'm not going to give yen 
'away— yet. Now listen. You've probably wondered 
why I haven't arrested you during the afternoon. I'll 
tell you. I want this thing to be attempted at ten o'clock 
to-night. Go right ahead with your scheme, my friend, 
and blow -up this place — if you can! I know your 
hand ■ - 

Herman. You think you do. Inspector' Steele ! 

Steele. I knozv I do. You're not arrested yet be- 
cause I'm not working to get you alone. I'm after bigger 
game than you to-night, my man ! And I'm -after bigger 
game tlian the worthy Hans Kraft, alias James -McGradyJ 

Herman (starting). Ach ! You mean Toni Clo'ff? 

Steele. Oh',^r-ve -heard enough of that I I knov/ as 
well as you that the •ria4Tie "Tom Cloff " is only a blind. 
I'll land that man to-night ! You expect him here soon. 
I know that; When he comes, if you make the slightest 
attempt to warn him of my knowledge — (he drazvs an 
automatic pistol frpmhis^ pocket, and replaces it) I'll give 
■you a taste of your own game, Mr. Herman! 

Herman. You'll never get Cloff ! 

Steele. Oh, ^,very well. But I'll get the man with a 
capital-'- Jv " that ismade like an " H " and an " F," and 
two " d's"*' -that -are surely not mates ! Verstehen sie das, 
Herr Herman? Very well. Good-evening, sir! 

(HER]\rAN stands silent for an instant, as if contem- 
plating an attack upon the Inspector. He leaves 
slowly. Steele again seizes the chair, and hurries 
to the black box on the wall. Suddenly he springs 
dozvn quickly, and turns azvay. Enter Kraft, fol- 
lozved by LeClair and Westerberg.) 

Kraft. Oh, sure, an' I'm sorry, gentlemen. Misther 
Midfilebrook has left the laberatorry. : 

LeClair. Eet eez unfortunate. Mais voila Monsieur 
zee Inspector! • , ^ • 

Steele. Good-evening, Monsieur LeClair, and Pro- 
fessor Westerberg. I understand that'Mr. Middlcbrook 
has just finished the preparation of your compound. 

West. Yes, yes. It va.s this assistant vich had tolt 
us dat. But-vere to find the gentleman? 



THii SUBMARINE SHELL 4^ 

Steele. He will return very shortly, I believe. At 
present he is busy with the detective. 

(Kraft busies himself at the table at l.) 

LeClair. Ah, oui, zee detectif ! Eet eez ever zee 
detectif, with Monsieur Middlebrook ! Cet homme a peur 
toujours ! Ah, pardon, Monsieur. Again I forget that 
•you do not comprehend zee French. 

West. Of course the Inspector unterstant the French, 
Inline friend. : For vat you tink he spent such great time 
::in Pai'is, unless he unterstant? 

' LeClair. Then eez eet so, Monsieur Steele ? You 
'comprehend? (Steele nods.) Bien, Monsieur! Per- 
haps Monsieur zee Professor also comprehends, n'est-ce 
•pas? 

West. Of course I unterstant ! Dat is van insult 
.Venn: you say I cannot imterstant ! I cannot only unter- 
stant, but I can speak the French. 

LeClair. Ah, Monsieur zee Professor, but I have 
heard Germans in great numbers who have said that. 
Eet eez too often but a boast. They come to Paris, et 
voila ! They are helpless. 

West. I vill soon show you if is it a boast, Flerr 
LeClair ! Ant if you tink .to make joke of me, I vill show 
you better ! 

Steele {greatly amused by the argument). Suppose 
you test him, Monsieur LeClair. 

LeClair. Ah, bon. Monsieur Steele ! Eet eez well 
spoken. Let us imagine, that 3^ou are in Paris, Mon- 
sieur zee Professor. You have entered into a store. 

West. Veil, veil? Vat next? 

LeClair. And you have need of — ah, well, let us 
imagine that you have need of a pound of tea. Perhaps 
you can demand that in French, Monsieur. 

West. Dat is most simple, I can tell you. I vould 

say — er — I vould say — veil, I vould say, " Je — je- " 

Ach, yes !' " Je veux un livre de the." 

LeClair {laughing convidsively). Ha! ha! ha! Ah, 
but you do not comprehend what you have said ! Have 
you remarked that sentence. Monsieur Steele? Eet eez 
idiotic I 



5^ THE SUBMARINE SHELL 

West. Dat is correct, now I vill tell you ! 
LeClair. Ha ! ha ! Monsieur has wished to say " Je 
yeux une livre de the," and he has said, '' Je veux tin 
livre de the." You comprehend the meaning of that 
n'est-ce pas, Monsieur Steele ! Cest ridicule ! Ha ' ha ' 
He say, " I wish a book of tea." A book of tea » Ha ' 
ha ! Cest idiot ! 

West. Veil, veil, vat is the difference? It is correct 
vat I have said, I tink. 

LeClair What difference, you say ? A book of tea ! 
Ha ! ha ! I fear Monsieur would have a book zee most 
crumbly, n est-ce pas? I permit you to judge this argu- 
mentation for us. Monsieur Steele. Have you ever heard 
spoken of such a book as that? 

Steele (laughing). I guess Professor Westerber^ 
wins, this time. 

LeClair. Non ! Non ! He cannot be correct' A 

book of tea ! Whoever 

Steele. That's just the point, you see. He mi^ht 

have a pretty fair book, even at that. It would be 

crumbly, as you say, but wouldn't it have— leaves— in it^ 

LeClair. Mon Dieu ! Tea-leaves, n'est-ce pas ^ Let 

eez one joke zee most remarkable ! 

West. You are mine f rient, Herr Steele ! 
^ LeClair. But no doubt we discommode you. Mon- 
sieur Steele, with this joking which is so idle. Were you 
not standing upon zee chair before we have entered? 
(Steele ts startled. Kraft glances up sharply from his 
work.) Eez eet not correct. Monsieur? Did I not hera 
you stepping down as we approached zee door ? 

Steele (quietly). I observe. Monsieur LeClair, that 
you have most excellent ears, as well as eyes. 

LeClair. Ha ! ha ! Then I was not deceived? You 
were upon zee chair? 

Steele. Quite right, Monsieur LeClair. I was 
LeClair Ha ! ha ! ha ! Voila ! Eet eez once more 
that you have said him! You said, "Quite right" 
n est-ce pas? Eef you should try one tho^isand vears. 
Monsieur, you could never prevent to use this expression. 
Let eez impossible for you ! 

Steele. Oh, no, not at all Far from it. If I really 



THE SUnrvlARlNE SMELL 51 

wisliecl, I could stop at any minute, for any length of time. 
Suppose I should ever go to Germany, Monsieur Le- 
Gair — to spy. Do you believe I'd ever use those ex- 
pressions on such a mission as that? That's my strongest 
asset in secret service work — the fact that I can lose my 
personality entirely when in disguise. 

LeClatr {shaking his head). You merely think that 
you could stop using them. If you should start trying 
now, you would still use them a thousand times within 
a week. 

Steele. Oh, no. 

LeClair. But I will make one little bet with you. 
You could not go — you could not go even the rest of this 
evening without using them ! 

Steele {afler considering the matter a moment). Just 
how many of your dollars say that. Monsieur LeClair? 

LeClair. Bien ! Bien ! I have twenty dollars which 
say you cannot ! 

Steele {quickly). Oh, very well! I have twenty 
more that say I can. I'll give you a little demonstration, 
Monsieur LeClair ! 

LeClair. Then eet eez a bet, n'est-ce pas? Twenty 
dollars that you will say either " Quite right " or " With 
great success " before midnight ! 

Steele {shaking hands). It is a bet. Monsieur! 

LeClair. And I shall be zee winner ! 

Enter Middlebrook and Bradp.i^ry. 

MiDD. Ah, yes, indeed, gentlemen. The — er — the 
compound is complete ! 

{Exclamations of approval from LeClair and West- 
erberg. ) 

Vv^EST. I am very sorry to say vat I haf to say, Herr 
Middlebrook, but ve must attent to this matter at vonce. 
I haf only ten minutes hence received a telegram {ex- 
hihiting a yellow envelope from his right coat pocket, and 
replacing it) vich is of greatest importance. I must 
leafe at least by eight o'clock, Herr Middlebrook. 

MiDD. Oh — er — this is unfortunate, Professor. Most 



5^ tHE SUBMARINE SHELL 

imiOitunate. I — er — I shall attend to this immediately. 
(He sicfs to the table at l., zvhere Kraft is sill! zvorkuuj. 
Le Clair and Westerberg arc close by his side, zvhile 
]3i:adbury and Steele are just behind.) There, genllc- 
liien. This is the result obtained from my new com- 
pound. (They bend eagerly over the table.) 

LilClair. Ah, that eez marvelous. Monsieur ! 

West. Upon mine honor, dat is right ! 

LeClair. And behold zee color, which eez zee most 
remarkable ! 

MiDD. And nov/, gentlemen, let us try the effect of a 
weak acid upon this. {He bends over the table zvith a 
bottle in his hand. LeClair and Vv^esterberg lean over 
eagerly to zvatch. Bradbury pushes forvuard to observe 
the resiUt. Steele, zvith a quick dexterity, suddenly 
reaches forzvard and zvifhdrazvs the yellozv telegram from 
Westerberg's pocket. Szjoiftly and silently he scans the 
message inside, zvhile the Professor is absorbed in the 
experiment. Then zvith a deft motion he again leans 
forzvard and replaces it in the pocket. He nods slowly 
to himself.) There, gentlemen! Behold a perfect dye- 
ing compound ! 

(LeClair and Westerberg are zvild zvith delight.) 

LeClair. I shall report this to my company to-mor- 
row, Monsieur. x\nd they shall buy ! 

West. Ach, nein ! It is not your company vich vill 
buy ! I, too, shall make report to-morrow. Ant ve shall 
see. But I must leafe, Herr Middlebrook. I am very 
sorry, but I remember my telegram, vich is most urgent. 
(He hastens to the door.) So I vill bit goot-efening to 
all you gentlemen. 

(Midd-lebTkOGK hastens to.shozv him out. He is fol- 
lowed by LeClair. The three men leave the room 
together. Steele starts to follow, but turns quickly 
to Bradbury.) 

Steele. I would like to question you, Bradbury, in 

regard to one matter. Ld like a little aid in 

Brad. Oh, indeed? You'd like to question me? 



THE SUBMARINE SHELL 53 

Doesn't it seem a bit strange for Inspector Steele of the 
National Secret Service to be asking aid from a private 
detective? It seems a bit out of place, doesn't it? 

Steele. It seems a bit more ont of place for you to 
make an}^ such reply as that to my request, Bradbury ! 
I'll warn you once, and once only, that I'm here at this 
house in behalf of the Government's interests. And I'll 
take just about one more such answer from you ! 

Brad. Really? How fortunate that you are willing 
to take one more ! Well — what do you wish ? 

Steele. I want an explanation of the working of that 
alarm-box on the wall, if you please. It's padlocked, and 
I can't open it. , 

Brad. I see. Very well. It contains mechanism for 
controlling the alarms. 

Steele. That is quite evident. But there are three 
sets of wires there. Please explain them. 

Brad. Oh, very well, if you understand electricity. 
There are three separate circuits, arranged separately in- 
side the box. The middle one con.trols the bell inside the 
box. The one on the left controls the bell in Mr. Middle- 
brook's room up-stairs.- The; right-hand one controls the 
big alarm-bell on the veranda. Can you understand that 
now, or do you' wish mfe to repeat' it ? - 

Steele. I can. {He takes a pad of paper and a 
pencil from "his pocket.) I,l^elieve I'll. make sure of that 
right now. {He^he:^ifis-to^~zvrite upon the paper.) A 
very rough diagrafn w^U be all that is necessary. There. 
Left one controls tlie bell in"' the box. 'Middle one con- 
trols the bell in the room up-stairs. -'^ Right one — ^ 

Brad. Wait a minute. That's not -ri^ht. 

Steele. Not r-igtit^? Wasn't that" what you said ? 

Brad. And you 'fliink I said that? (//£? laughs.) 
You're a wonder, all right, Inspector Steele ! 

Steele. Come, coiiie!' That's what you said, and I'll 
guarantee it! .•^' •; : 

Brad. And I'll guarantee that it isn't ! I said that the 

middle one Oh, what's the use of trying to get it 

through your head, anyv/ay? Give me the paper, and I'll 
straighten it out for you. {Condescendingly he takes the 
paper, scratches out Steele's ivorh, and writes for a 



54 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 

moment.) There you are — Inspector Steele. Middle 
one controls the box bell. Left controls Middlebrook's 
room bell. Right controls veranda gong. That's what 
I said in the first place ! 

Steele (taking the paper). I'm much obliged for 
your trouble. That's all I'll need, for the present. 

(He studies the paper keenly, and places it car ef idly 
in his pocket.) 

Brad, (turning to Kraft). Inspection now, if you 
please. 

Kraft (rising). Yes, sor. 

(A knock upon the door. Bradbury starts to open it, 
hut Steele intercepts him.) 

Steele. Who is there, please? 

Elea. (from outside). Oh, it's the Inspector, Mar- 
garet. Never mind, then. We were only looking for 
Mr. Bradbury. 

Brad. I'm in here, now, for inspection. You may 
both come in, if you like. 

Steele (quickly). Do you consider that wise, Brad- 
bury ? 

Brad. Of course. What harm? (Raising his voice.) 
Come, ahead. 

Enter Eleanor, foUozved by Margaret. The latter is 
still carrying her blue knitting-bag. 

Elea. So you're here again, Mr. Bradbury. Good- 
evening, Inspector. You — you are still on the lookout for 
some " danger," I suppose. 

Steele, Quite r — or rather, very true. Miss Middle- 
brook. I hope that your injury has not been very serious. 

Brad. Yes, indeed. How is your hand now? 

Elea. (raising her bandaged right hand). Oh, it's 
really much better now, thank you. Father attended to 
it very carefully. But you nearly lost twenty dollars a 
minute ago, didn't you, Inspector? 

Steele. Oh, then my friend LeClair has been spread- 
ing the news of our bet already. Yes, I almost lost. 
But " almosts " don't count, Miss Middlebrook. 



THE SUBMARINE SHELL 55 

Elea. I suppose not. But I have a message to de- 
liver to Mr. Bradbury. The chief plain-clothesman is on 
the veranda, and has a report to make. 

Brad. Thank you. I'll come at once. 

Elea. Come, Margaret. You aren't at all like your- 
self to-night. I don't believe you've spoken a word for 
half an hour. You must come with us. 

Marg. I'd like very much to come, if I could. But 
I really — I really must see Mr. Middlebrook for just a 
minute. {She turns /o Kraft.) Could you find him for 
me, James? 

Kraft. I'll try, ma'am, I don't know where he is, 
but I'll look him up. 

Marg. Thank you. Don't wait for me, Eleanor, 
please. I'll be right out. {Exit Eleanor, with Brad- 
bury, zvho has forgotten the inspection. Kraft follozvs 
them. Steele also starts toward the door. ) I beg your 
pardon, but may I speak to you for just a moment? 

Steele {exhibiting surprise). To me, Miss Linden? 

Marg. Yes, please. I — I don't want to see Mr. 
Middlebrook at all. I know he's out on the lawn, where 
it will take James a half hour to find him, I — I wanted 
a chance to speak to you. 

Steele. Why — how strange. 

Marg. {going on with a great effort). Yes, it does 
seem very strange, Mr. Steele. But I — I wanted to apolo- 
gize for my words to you this afternoon. I was too 
hasty, and I did not mean one of them. I wondered if 
you could possibly forget them. 

{She is plainly forcing herself to make this hurried 
apology.) 

Steele {coldly). Certainly, Miss Linden. In fact, 
they were words which I should be very glad to forget. 

Marg. I realize now how unreasonable I was. I had 
hoped that we might forget our unpleasantness, Mr. 
Steele, and be friends. 

(Steele is puzzled. He glances at her quickly. ) 
Steele. Why, certainly, if you like. {He shrugs his 



56 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 

shoulders sligliily.) Friends we are, then, if it pleases 
you, Miss Linden. 

Marg. I see that you haven't yet forgotten my re- 
marks to-day. I really shouldn't have asked you to. 

Steele. Why, of course I've forgotten them. I'll 
never mention them again. I'll probably never even 
think of them. Er — was that all, Miss Linden? 

Marg. (quickly). Yes, thank you. I'll not keep you 
any longer. (She turns: toward the door, but hesitates. 
She glances hack at Steele, who is now studying fhe 
apparatus on the table at l. Suddenly she turns and 
comes quickly back.) Oh, Mr. Steele, I want to ask 
you just one question, if I may. I must ask you. 

Steele {in mild surprise). Very well. 

Marg. It's a strange question, but I — I hope you'H 
answer it — and think about it. It's in regard to — to— 
death. 

Steele {in astonishment). I certainly don't- 

This is surprising. Miss Linden. 

Marg. I realize that. But please answer me. You've 
been in Germany many times, Mr. Steele. You've faced 
death again and again as a probability. But have you 
ever thought of it as a — as a reality, and as being at hand? 

(Steele, ^z°?7^^ Jier a long, searching glance.) 

Steele. Yes. I don't see why you ask such a ques- 
tion, but I'm ver}^ glad to answer. There have been three 
such moments in my life. In all three cases I've had the 
luck on my side — and here I am. That's all. 

Marg. But if you had not had luck? What then? 

Steele. Five years ago, it might have made some 
difference. But now it wouldn't matter. You see, I've 
been learning how little a life is really worth in the world. 

Marg. But surely you can't mean that you don't — 
don't care about living. 

Steele. Precisely. I realize that I'll probably be 
needed in America for a few years yet. For that reason, 
I'll be careful. 

Marg. And as long as the nation is safe, you won't 
care about 



THI- SUBMARINE 'SHELL' ^f. 

Steele. I'll not care about anytliing, Miss Linden. 
There's nothing in the world for me except America. 
There never can be. 

Marg. I'm sorry you feel so about things. 

Steele (quickly). But why do you ask me such ques- 
tions, please ? 

Maug. Oh, I haven't any reason. That is — I feel that 
I must. I'll not ask any more. 

Steele. But there is something back of this. I 

Enter Kraft. 

Kraft. Misther Middlebrook is not in his room. Miss 
Linden, an' I'm blest if I know where he could have gone, 
miss. 

Marg. Oh, never mind, then. You don't happen to 
know where he is, Mr. Steele? I thought perhaps 

(She chokes suddenly, realizing the mistake that she 
has made.) 

Steele. I heard that he was on the lawn, Miss Lin- 
den. {He hesitates, and glances at each.) I'd be glad 
to call him into the living-room for you. 

{He turns and walks out slowly,) 

Kraft. Ach, you are clever, Miss Linden. It was 
tlie work of an artist~the way you made a chance to talk 
Vvilh him, and then got rid of him. 

IvIarg. Not so clever as you think, I'm afraid. I've 
made a mistake — a bad one. I'm not used to playing such 
a double game as this. " It was I who told him that Mr. 
Middlebrook was on the lawn. And just now I went and 
asked him if he knew where he v/as ! 

Kraft. Ah, that is bad. But he could never notice a 
tiny slip like that. 

Marg. Oh, but I know that he has noticed it ! Didn't 
you see the way he looked at us ? 

Kraft. But he didn't say anything. If he noticed it, 
he must have had you dead to rights, and still kept silent. 
How can you account for that ? 

Marg. Oh, I don't know ! 



58 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 

Kraft. Ach ! It is impossible ; don't spend time 
worrying about that. Is he satisfied with your apology ? 
Did you make it right with him? 

Marg. I — I apologized, as you ordered. But I — I 
believe he understood that I didn't mean it at heart. 

Kraft. I warned you to guard against that, Miss Lin- 
den ! If he becomes suspicious of you and causes trouble 
for us to-night, it will be your fault, and yours shall be 
the consequences ! Let that be plain. 

Marg. I understand, Mr. Kraft. 

Kraft. You have the flask of cyanogen there? 

Marg. (exhibiting the knitting-bag). In the bag, as 
you ordered. 

Kraft. Gut ! See that you keep it there. Now, 
these are your instructions for to-night. Listen. As 
soon as we can get this laboratory clear now, Tom Cloff 
himself is coming into the house, to make final prepara- 
tions. You know what position he holds in our system, 
and you realize that he must work in safety. I'm afraid 
of Steele to-night ! You must be close at hand in the 
living-room, with the cyanogen, every minute. If Cloff 
should be trapped here in the laboratory by Steele 

Marg. Oh, I can't do it ! I won't do it ! 

Kraft. Oh, yes you will, Miss Linden ! Not another 
word of that ! You keep the flask in that bag. When I 
give the signal to you, you are to hand that flask to me, 
without one second of delay! 

Marg. (clenching her hands). ' Very well, Mr. Kraft. 
The signal, if you please! 

Kraft. Gut ! It is a German countersign — " Werk' 
ohne fehler." You can't forget it. '' Werk' ohne fehler." 

Marg. I understand. 

Kraft. Then be on hand while Cloff is here. When 
you hear those words from me, hand me that flask! 
And we'll send Inspector Steele Sh ! 

Enter Eleanor and Bradbury. 

Elea. Margaret, we've been waiting for you over 
fifteen minutes. Are you ever coming? 

Marg. (quickly). Oh, yes. I'll come right away. 
I'm sorry to have made you wait. 



THE SUBMARINE SHELL 



59 



(Eleanor, Margaret, and Bradbury go out, leaving 
Kraft alone. He glances quickly at his watch. 
There is a step at the door. Enter Steele.) 

Steele. I wonder if you would do a little favor for 
me — er — James. Please step outside and tell Miss 
Middlebrook that I would like to speak to her here, for 
just one moment. 

Kraft {after hesitating). Yes, son [Exit. 

(Steele stands quietly gazing around the room for an 
instant. Again he springs upon the chair and ex- 
amines the black alarm-box. He draws a knife from 
his pocket and zvorks vtpon the wires for a moment, 
as though he intended to disarrange the alarm. He 
drops down suddenly, with one hand raised to his 
head as if in deep thought, and stands for a moment 
with the other hand grasping the back of the chair. 
He draws Bradbury's diagram from his pocket and 
studies it an instant. Enter Eleanor. She has a 
very puzzled air.) 

Elea. Mr. Steele, did I — er — did I understand James 
to say that you wished to speak to me ? 

Steele. Quite — correct, Miss Middlebrook. I did 
wish to talk to you, upon a very serious subject. 

Elea. Why — why, I'm sure I don't understand ! 

Steele. I'll try to explain. I'm very much worried, 
Miss Middlebrook, about what may happen to-night. 

Elea. Oh, you still believe there is 

Steele. There is danger — great danger. It may seem 
impossible to you, but it is true. I — I may be in great 
need of help, a little later. Your father will not be per- 
suaded that this matter is serious. Detective Bradbury is 
not my friend ; I can't depend on him. I — I wish you'd 
promise to do what you can for me. Miss Middlebrook. 

Elea. / ! 

Steele. Yes. I don't know who else there is that 
I could ask. I'd like to — I'd like to trust you if I could. 
I'd like to feel that you were willing to help me out. 

Elea. {zvith her eyes zvide zvith zvonder). Oh, Mr. 
Steele, this is — it's very tmexpected. I'm very greatly 
honored that you should have confidence in me. 



60 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 

Stefxe. Then can I trust you? 

Elea. Oh, of course you can ! I'd do anything I 
could for you ! 

Steele. I thank you — Miss Middlebrook. You'll 
promise to help me if you can, won't you? Won't you, 
please? 

{He takes her right hand in his, and presses it firmly. 
She glances up quickly, her eyes filled with wonder.) 

Elea. "Why Oh, Mr. Steele, you know there's 

nothing I'd rather do than {She starts suddenly.) 

Oh, my hand ! It's burned, and you're hurting it terribly ! 

Steele (releasing her hand quickly). Oh, I'm sorry! 
I beg your pardon. I didn't reahze which hand I had 
taken. I thank you for your willingness to help nie, 

Elea. Oh, you know I'd be glad to do it ! 

Steele. I'm very much obliged. But I'll not keep 
you any longer now, if your friends are waiting. 

Elea. Oh, all right. We'll see you later, then. [Exit. 

(Steele stands silent for an instant, gating at the door 
through which she has left. At length he nods_ 
quietly to himself, a trifle sadly, and slozvly zvalks to 
the door.) 

Steele. James. 
Kraft {appearing). Yes, sor. 

Steele. I intend to leave the laboratory now, until 
nine o'clock. You may lock the door. [Exit. 

Kraft. Yes, sor. 

{He turns off the light, and leaves, closing the door. 
The room remains in darkness for a short period.^ 
Then a key is quietly inserted in the lock. There is, 
a sound of the door opening. The lights flMsh on^. 
revealing Kraft, who is silently beckoning to somd 
one outside. Enter Tom Gloff. Kraft closes and 
locks the door. Gloff is a man of medium height. 
He is clad in a long, dark overcoat which extends to; 
his ankles. He wears ci dark cap. His face is 
masked by a car ef idly arranged black cloth, which 
completely conceals his features. His voice is in^ 



THE SUBMARINE SHELL 6I:' 

tentionally lozv-pitched and unnatural as he con- 
verses with Kraft.) 

Cloff. The explosive all right? 

Kraft. All right, sir. 

Cloff. The cyanogen ? 

Kraft. It is ready. 

Cloff. And Steele? 

Kraft. On the veranda, 

Cloff. Keep him there, live minutes. Keep watch 
outside this cloor. At any sound, rap four times. 

Kraft. Yes, sir. And the cyanogen is ready for 
Steele if he comes! (Cloff checks him.) 

Cloff. Not imtil needed absolutely. You know my 
own signal ; you remember the words. Not until I give it. 

Kraft. Right, sir. {He steps outside, quietly closing 
the door. Cloff hastily starts to remove his coat, hut 
suddenly changes his mind. He turns toward the ap- 
paratus closet at l. His ozvn key unlocks the door. He 
opens it, and hurries hack to the other side of the room. 
He climbs upon the chair and tries to fit a similar key into 
the lock on the alarm-box. Four quiet knocks upon the 
door. Instantly Cloff springs dozvn, snaps off the light ^ 
and stands listening. Kraft, from outside.) But I tell 
you, I haven't the key here. 

Delia {also from outside). Ah, faith, phwat do I 
care for you an' yer key ! I tell you, Misther Steele 
wants his book. I've got the key here that Misther 
Middlebrook gave him, an' I'm goin' to get his book for 
him ! (Cloff, using a flash-light, creeps back into a cor- 
ner. Delia's key rattles in the lock. The door opens, 
admitting a faint light.) Faith, man, an' phwat was all 
yer fuss about? The door weren't no more locked than 
nothin'. {She advances toward the table at l.) Sure, 
an' he left it on the table, he said. It's not here. 

Kraft. He never left no book here, Delia. Phwat 
ails th' man ? Here, you don't need the light. Anybody 
can see there's no such thing here. 

Delia. I've a mind to have a better look fer 't, any- 
way. 
. Kraft. Here, here ! Wait ! Don't put the light on ! 



62 THE SUBMARINxi SHELL 

Delia. Don't be orcleiin' me 'roun' here, Jim Mc- 
Grady ! {She sekes the switch. The light snaps on. 
Cloff is revealed croiicJiing in the corner. Delia throws 
itp her hands and gives a blood-curdling shriek.) Saint 
Paihrick preserve me ! There's a man in the laberatorry ! 
Help! Help! (She races iozvard the door.) Help! 
Help! Murder! Misther Middlebrook! [Exit. 

(The house is in an uproar at once. Cloff springs 
from the corner. His voice rings out sharply.) 

Cloff {to Kraft). Get outside that door, and keep 
them back one minute ! On your life ! 

(Kraft leaps forward to obey. The door bangs be- 
hind him. Cloff races forward and turns a key in 
the lock. He glances once around the room, and 
hastens to the open storage closet. Suddenly he 
stops, and listens intently. A great commotion out- 
side the locked door. Excited voices can be heard 
in loud tones.) 

Delia. I sv/ear by Saint Pathrick, Misther Middle- 
brook, he's in there now ! 

Kraft. I can't open the door, sor ! He's locked it on 
the inside ! AVait ! Wait ! My key's up-stairs ! 

Mrs. M. We can't v/ait, Warren ! He may be setting 
a bomb now. 

MiDD. Er — open the door! We ;;/2?^/ open it ! 

[The knob is rattled vainly.) 

Elea. We can't open it. Father ! Don't go in, with 
that terrible man in there ! Oh, here's the Inspector ! 

(Cloff gives an exclamation of rage, and turns tozvard 
the storage closet. He hesitates. The door is struck 
a violent blow.) 

Steele. Corne now, my man, who's in there? 

Kraft. Faith, an' Fm sure I don't know, sor ! I 

Steele, Enou2h of that bluff! I'll give you two sec- 
onds to open the door, or I'll smash it in with this hatchet I 



THE SUBMARIlSrK SHELL 63 

(Cloff stares aroiind ike room in dcspcraiion. He 
starts iozvard the covered gun, but turns back.) 



Kraft. I can't open it without the key ! 
Steele. The 
In front of me ! 



Steele. Then stand back! No! No! Right there ! 



(Cloff dashes across the room to the switch on the 
wall. The light again snaps out. His footsteps are 
heard as he races back. There is a heavy crash upon 
the door, and a sound of splintering timber. This is 
followed by another. The shattered door swings 
back, admitting a very dim light.) 

Elea. (in fear). Oh, Mr. Steele, keep out! He has 
a gun ; he'll shoot you ! 

Steele. Who has a gun? He'll shoot me, will he, 
and give away his game at eight o'clock ? Into this room 
with me, Mr. Middlebrook ! We'll trap that man ! (The 
crozvd pushes into the room in the darkness. Excited 
voices are heard as they search.) Stand guard by the 
door, Mr. Middlebrook ! Don't let him pass, and keep 
both your servants out ! I'll find him ! 

(He races forward toward the table at l. Some one 
else, follozving, trips over a chair.) 

Elea. It's I, Inspector ! I'll help you ! 

Steele. No! No, Miss Middlebrook! Keep back! 
Go back this instant, and keep watch in the living-room ! 

Elea. All right ! I will ! I'll go ! (She gropes her zvay 
to the door.) Father, let me out! Oh, quick! [Exit. 

(The door of the storage closet slams suddenly.) 

MiDD. He's gone into the closet ! 
Steele. Look out ! Don't move from that door ! 
The lights ! The lights, this instant ! 
Mrs. M. Here ! Here ! 

(The light snaps on. Middlebrook is standing in front 
of the doorway. Mrs. Middlebrook and Margaret 
are at his side. Behind them are Delia, Kraft, and 
Herman. Steele and Bradbury are vainly search- 



(ji^ THE SUBMARINE SHEU** 

ing in Hie. center of ike room. Cloff has cojnplttely 

disappeared. The closet door is closed.). 

Delta. He's gone ! Disappeared, sir ! 

(LeClair suddenly races into the room.) 

LeClair. Mon Dieu ! Eel eez exciting ! Eet eez ex- 
citing ! 

Enter Eleanor, with a terrified expression. 

Brad. Stand back, now, every one. V/e'll find that 
man ! 

MiDD. Ah, yes, Bradbury; you're just in time. Er — 
do find him ! 

(Bradbury races forzvard and peers under the covered 
gun. Steele foUozvs.) 

Steele. Not there ! 

MiDD. The closet, gentlemen ! The closet ! 

(Bradbury springs to unlock the closet door, with 
Steele at his side. They peer inside.) 

Brad. Good Heavens ! The place is empty ! 

Steele. Empty is right, sir ! 

Brad. He's gone, Mr. Middlebrook ! Gone ! Faded 
away, right from before our eyes! (Middleerook 
hastens to the little chemical closet, sets the coinbination 
on the lock, and opens the door. Bradbury follozvs.) 
Empty there, too ! You've li^X him get prist you at the 
door ! 

MiDD. No, no ! Fll swear to that ! 

Brad. There's nowhere else he could have gone, Mr. 
Middlebrook ! He gave you the slip ! 

MiDD. I'll stake my reputation, Mr. Bradbury ! No- 
body except my daughter has passed through this door! 

Brad. You must be wrong! 

MiDD. Oh, this is — supernatural ! 

Brad. Bah ! You've let him escape ! It's useless to 
deny that ! 

MiDD. No, no, no! 

Brad. All ridit. Then tell us where he went ! 



THE SUBMARINE SHELL 65 

(Mid])li:brook shakes his head in despair.) 

ST]i:i^.LE. 77/ tell you where he went, Mr. Middlebrook ! 

Brad, (startled) . What's that you say? 

Sti:ele. I know how he escaped, and where he is 
now! (He zvheels iozvard the doorzvay.) I'll show you 
" Tom Cloff " within one minute, Mr. Middlebrook ! 

MiDD. Er — my soul and body ! Er — where did he go? 

Steele. I'll soon show you where he went ! 

(Kraft and Herman ore edging forward.) 

Brad. Then America is not yet beaten ! 
Kraft. To business, Otto! The gun in the table 
drawer ! 

MiDD. Er — James! William! Are you crazy? 

{Like a flash Herman leaps toward the table at R. 
Kraft springs to get behind Steele. But Steele is 
far too quick for them. His hands shoot up from his 
pockets; two automatic pistols are covering the 
startled Germans. He backs quickly away from the 
two, toward l.) 

Steele. Put up your hands, Herman! Stand away 
from here, Kraft ! Stay where you are ! Up with both 
hands, I told you, Herman ! If either of you goes one 
step nearer that table, I'll load you both with six bullets 
each ! 

MiDD. What does this mean? 

wSteele. These men are spies, Mr. Middlebrook ! 
They want my life to-night, and yours! Kindly close 

that door behind you, and Stand where you are, 

Herman ! 

(Herman has made a sudden dash toward the table. 
Steele turns and forces him back. In this brief 
interval, Kraft whirls about and faces Margaret. 
He seizes her arm, and draws her between Steele's 
gun and himself.) 

Kraft. " Werk* ohne f ehler ! " Come now, young 
woman, do your part ! 
Marg. I'll never do it ! 



66 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 

Steele. Stand away from there, Kraft, or I'll 

Kraft. Shoot, if you want to take a chance ! {He 
screens himself behind Margaret.) I'll give you one 
second to hand me that flask, Miss Linden ! Take your 
choice this instant ! Hand me the flask ! 

(Steele hesitates, trying to watch both Herman and 
Kraft. ) 

Marg. Oh— take it, then ! 

(She tears open her bag, hands the dark green flask to 
Kraft, and stands silent, in great agitation.) 

Kraft {raising the flask above his head with a cry of 
triumph). Ach Himmel ! Shoot now when you like, 
Inspector Steele ! I've got a flask full of cyanogen here, 

my friend 

Steele {starting violently) . Cyanogen! My 

Kraft {laughing in joy). Ach, yes! Pure cyano- 
gen gas, Mr. Steele. One breath of this, and our nation's 
debt to you is paid! {He advances from the group.) 
Shoot me ! It will be your last act on earth ! 

{All present are stunned with horror. Steele is still 
holding his tzvo zveapons leveled.) 

Steele {awakening). Go back, Mr. Middlebrook! 
For Heaven's sake go back ! He has cyanogen there ! 
One whiff will kill every man in the room ! 

MiDD. Oh, this is horrible ! Lucy ! 

Steele. Get out of the room, Mr. Middlebrook! For 
your life ! Take Mrs. Middlebrook ! 

Kraft {holding the terrible flask poised). I'll let 
them out ! I want not them, but you ! 

Steele. Get back, then, Middlebrook, v/hile you can ! 
Miss Linden, vou traitoress, get away before he throws 
that flask ! Back ! Back ! 

{There is a wild scramble as Middlerrook, Mrs. 
Mtddlebrook, Eleanor, LeClair, Herman, and 
Bradbury retreat tozvard the door. Margaret 



THE SUBMARINE SHELL 67 

draws hack a step or two. Steele stands alone, 
silenily facing Krapt, with his automatic still leveled 
at the German's breast.) 

Kraft. Ach, now you'll pay! Shoot me! Kill me 
now, if you like ! Ach, Gott ist gut — to let me die in 
killing you! You'll pay the Fatherland for the work 
you've done! {He takes a step forward in triumph.) 
Inspector Steele — Auf Wiedersehen ! {There is a cry of 
horror from Middlebrook. Kraft hurls the deadly 
flask to the floor at Steele's feet, and leaps hack. There 
is a crash of smashing glass, and a scream from Eleanor. 
The green flask is shattered into fragments at the In- 
spector's feet. But Steele, silently awaiting the end, 
still stands with his gun directed toward the dumfounded 
Kraft. ) Gott im Himmel ! It has failed ! Cyanogen 
itself will not kill Inspector Steele ! 

Herman {starting forward). It is impossible! 

Kraft {in terror). And he still stands there, staring 

me in the face! It is {He gives a violent start, 

and stares at the floor.) Mein Gott im Himmel ! What 
is that? 

Herma-n {springing to his side). What is it? (Kraft 
staggers forward, and snatches up a small red object from 
the ruins of the flask.) It rolled out of the flask ! What 
can it 

Kraft. Mein Gott ! It is a ball of yarn ! 

(Steele himself gives a start, but keeps his guns in 
position. ) 

MiDD. {dashing forzvard). But the cyanogen, you 
traitors! Where is it? 

Mrs. M. {from the doorway). Margaret! What ar^ 
you doing? 

(Margaret is slozvly advancing tozvard the table tvhere 
Steele is standing. At arm's length she holds the 
second of the two green flasks which she has prez'i- 
ously exhibited. With great care she sets the flask 
upon the table, well out of Kraft's reach. Then she. 
turns coldly to Steele.) 



68 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 

Marg. There is the cyanogen, Mr. Steele ! Kindly 
take charge of it! 

( There is a startled exclamation of terror from all, and 
a cry of rage from Kraft. But Steele, silent and 
unmoved, still pointing his weapons at the baffled 
spies, merely stares in horror at the deadly object 
upon the table.) 



CURTAIN 



ACT IV 

SCENE. — The same as Act III. lo p. m. The room is 
in darkness, and all is silent. Suddenly the living-room 
door is softly opened, and then closed. The man zvho 
has entered flashes a light around the room from a 
flash-light. The door to the storage closet is seen to 
be partly open. The man extinguishes his light and 
tiptoes softly across the room. He closes the closet 
door with a hang. The spring lock snaps into place. 
Again using his flash-light, the man recrosses the room. 
There is the sound of his quiet laughter. He turns on 
the light from the switch. The man in the room is 
Steele. He steps quickly to the living-room door, and 
gives a long, loud rapping. Enter Mrs. Middlebrook, 
in haste. 

Mrs. M. Mr. Steele — that knocking! You can't mean 
that you have — caught this man '* Tom Cloff " ! 

Steele. Exactly, Mrs. Middlebrook ! I have caught 
the man who is attempting to blow up this laboratory 
to-night, and I intend to expose him now, before every 
one ! Within twenty minutes he will be in the police 
station, with Kraft and Herman ! 

Mrs. M. But the explosion ! 

Steele. It cannot possibly occur. The explosive 
itself has been rendered absolutely useless. 

Mrs. M. But just one minute, Mr. Steele, before I call 
them in ! It's about — Miss Linden ! I can't understand 
why she should ever have been carrying such stuff as that 
cyanogen ! I've tried and tried to question her ever since, 
but she hasn't spoken one word since the servants were 
arrested. She acts almost as if she were afraid to speak 
to me — as if she had done me some great injury. 

Steele {nodding slowly). I couldn't understand her 
myself, until this evening. It's quite clear now. The 
man Kraft has known something; he has been holding 
some secret over her, 

69 



70 THli SUBMARINE SHELL 

Mrs. M. You can't mean that she has been con- 
nected 

Steele. It's been a terrible secret, Mrs. Middle- 
brook — one that she would give her life to be able to 
conceal. Step by step Hans Kraft has forced her to obey 
his orders. And one by one she has carried them out — 
to win his silence. 

Mrs. M. But she tricked him at the very moment of 
his triumph ! 

Steele. Ah, yes, that's just the point. At that 
moment she found out suddenly that the secret was not 
worth guarding as she had tried to guard it. You can't 
understand yet, I know. {He hesitates.) But before 
you call them in, I — I must have one promise from you. 

Mrs. M. {in surprise). Why — what can it be? 

Steele {very slozvly). Merely this: I am here in the 
Government's behalf. Whatever may happen to-night — 
whatever* I may be forced to do here- — I hope you will 
remember that I am doing the best thing possible for your 
interests and America's. 

Mrs. M. {in wonder). Why, of course! 

{The door is opened suddenly. Enter Middlebrook. 
He is followed by Eleanor and Margaret, zoitli 
Le Clair.) 

MiDD. Er— Mr. Steele, what is all this? This knock- 
ing on the wall ? 

Steele. It means, Mr. Middlebrook, that I am now 
ready to arrest the man who has been plotting to blow up 
your home ! I have caught " Tom Cloff " ! 

{There is a slight start from EeClair. Delia enters 
suddenly, with a yellow envelope.) 

Delia. A special dispatch, Mr. Middlebrook — from 
Washington. 

(Middlebrook hastily tears open the envelope. He 
gives a violent start.) 

MiDD. The government agents from England and 
France have landed in New York at ten minutes before 



THE SUBMARINE SHELL 



71 



ten to-night. They have been in America over fifteen 
minutes, Inspector. Er — behold, my laboratory still 
stands unharmed ! 

(Steele comes forzvard, zvith his face set in determina- 
tion. ) 

Steele. And I'll show you zvhy it is still unharmed ! 
Kindly glance at that black box on the wall, sir! It is 
your automatic laboratory alarm, you say. / say it was 
an alarm yesterday, perhaps, before " Tom Cloff " him- 
self had entered here this afternoon. It is now a deadly 
inferno, Mr. Middlebrook, ready to blow this room to 
atoms, had I not broken the electrical connection this 
evening ! 

MiDD. Er— Mr. Steele ! 

Steele. Slowly and surely, that machine has been at 
work this afternoon, manufacturing the explosive which, 
as you boasted, could never be smuggled into your home — 
loading that box, bit by bit, with the frightful chloride of 
nitrogen ! It's diabolical ! And every particle of mate- 
rial needed to manufacture this explosive has been within 
easy reach in this house ! 

^IiDD. This is hideous ! 

Steele. I've trapped the man who has done all this! 
Fve sifted out every last bit of evidence against him, and 
he shall pay the penalty ! I'm ready now to arrest that 
man 

LeClair. But where eez that man? And who eez he? 

Steele. There can be no doubt as to who it is ! It's 
the man who stole all the salt in the house, to prepare 
chloride of nitrogen — who cleverly obtained a large 
quantity of the other substance necessary to prepare this 
explosive — who found a means of smuggling cyanogen 
into the house — who baffled us all from start to finish, but 
failed because he rates the characters of all 3^oung women 
alike I {There is a lozu exclamation of anguish from 
Margaret, and a gasp from Eleanor, hut Steele goes 
on mercilessly.) It's the one whom I trapped in this 
laboratory at eight to-night, and who then made the m.ost 
ingenicus escape I've ever seen in tvv^enty years. It's the 



72 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 

man with a capital " R " that is made like an " II " and 
an " F," and two " d's " that are surely not mates ! 

Mrs. M. Mr. Steele, it can't be 

Steele. Mr. Middlebrook, how is chloride of nitrogen 
prepared? Common salt — and ammonia! I'm ready to 
arrest " Tom Cloff " ! And I'm also ready to arrest his 
most dangerous assistant, the young woman who 

(There is a startled exclamation from Margaret. 
MiDDLEBROOK wlicels upofi her, pointing an accusing 
finger.) 

MiDD. There we have it, Lucy ! This is the result of 
entertaining Eleanor's friends in our home ! 

Marg. Oh, I'm guilty, Mr. Middlebrook! I did it 
all — every bit of it ! I hid the cyanogen in my knitting- 
bag ; I helped steal the salt from the pantry ; I 

Delia. From where? Saint Pathrick 

MiDD. You are a traitoress to America ! You are 
false to me, and to my hospitality ! You admit that you 
concealed the cyanogen, and that you stole the salt, 
and — ■ — 

Steele. From the pantry,' you might add for com- 
pleteness ! You're not surprised to learn that the salt was 
kept in the pantry? I'm sure Delia was ! 

Delia. It was kept in the kitchen cupboard, Fl! swear 
by Saint Pathrick, sir! 

MiDD. Er — v^^hy — er — what does all this, mean? 

Steele. I'll tell you what it means ! It will break 
your heart to know, but silence is out of the question now. 
It means that Miss Linden is not the guilty assistant to 
William Von Holtzer ! She is making a last attempt to 
take the guilt upon herself. It is true that she concealed 
the cyanogen. She maintains that she stole the salt. 
But kindly tell me if she was the one who obtained a 
gallon jar of ammonia, to bathe a terrible acid burn made 
by red ink! 

Mrs. M. (starting). Eleanor! Oh, my daughter ! 

(Eleanor drops into a chair without anszvering, and 
buries her face in her hatids. Margaret hastens to 
her side.) 



THE SUBMARINE SHELL 



73 



Marg. I've done my best ! 

Mrs. M. I can't believe this ! 

Steele. I fear that you must. It was your daughter 
who ^helped steal the government papers at the Mark- 
mans' reception, Mrs. Middlebrook ! It was her guilty 
secret which lay in Kraft's hands ! For two years Tve 
been silent, for your sake ! Miss Linden has known that 
secret, too. It was Miss Linden's aid which seemed in- 
valuable to Kraft to-day. He threatened to lay bare 
the secret which I had concealed so long. 

M RS. M . ( slowly ) . Then — then M a rga ret 

Steele. She was true to a lifelong friendship, even at 
the cost of allying herself with German spies. She has 
done all this for your daughter's sake. She would have 
given her life to conceal the truth. But when she dis- 
covered to-night that her friend was again a traitoress — 
that she was now endeavoring to betray her own home — • 
it was too much ! She wouldn't let Kraft throw cyanogen 
to save our nation's enemy ! 

Mrs. M. Do you mean to tell me that Eleanor ar- 
ranged that contrivance on the wall ? 

Steele. Not at all ! That was done by the mysterious 
'' Tom Cloff " himself, believed to be the assistant of Von 
Holtzer. (Steele suddenly holds up his hand for silence, 
and goes on in a lower tone.) I'll tell you the truth, Mrs. 
Middlebrook ! When I came to this room about ten 
minutes ago, this man was again here ! I trapped him ; 
I shut him over there in the storage closet, and let the 
spring lock close ! (A start of terror from all.) For ten 
minutes he has crouched a prisoner in that closet ! 
Silence, Mr. Middlebrook ! Silence ! I intend to make 
that man believe that we have left this laboratory. If we 
can do that, he will at once come out from that closet, 
and attempt to set the broken combination on that alarm 
control — in a last attempt to destroy this laboratory! 
{There are stifled exclamations. Steele quickly crosses 
to the living-room door, and raises his voice. In a loud 
tone.) We'll now call the plain-clothesmen, and take our 
prisoner to the police station ! Mr. Middlebrook, I will 
ask one of them to guard the outside of this place until 
I return. That's all; you needn't wait here any longer 



74 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 

now. {He pauses, and glances around the room. All 
are silent. He snaps off the light, and leaves the room in 
darkness. He slams the living-room door against the 
zvall. In a low tone.) Now — absolute silence! Miss 
Middlebrook, if you give the slightest warning, you'll pay 
the full penalty ! 

(There is a long silenee in the room. Sitddenly there 
is the rattle of a key in the storage closet door.) 

MiDD. (in a loud zvhisper) . He has a key ! Where 

Steele. Silence! (The door of the storage closet 
rattles again. A hinge creaks as it swings open. A ray 
of light from a flash-light shoots across toward the living- 
room door. The light falls upon the red fixture of the 
alarm-box, and misses Steele. The stranger turns his 
ligJit upon the floor in front of him, and starts forward, 
failing to discover any of the silent watchers grouped 
along the zvall. Step by step he advances across the 
room, playing the light upon the red fixture as he goes. 
At last he darts forward quickly. There is a sudden 
rattle as he jiggles the instrument in the red box. Then, 
a loud scream from Eleanor. Steele flashes a beam of 
bright light upon the man.) Hands up, Cloff! Hands 
up! (Cloff staggers back from the alarm-box. He 
stares into the mucde of Steele's gun. It can be seen 
that he is without his coat and mask.) There, Mr. 
Middlebrook, is the traitor in your home ! The man 
who's been unaccountably absent until this minute ! 

MiDD. (springing forward in frenzied excitement). 
Westerberg! Westerberg claimed he had received a 
telegram 

Steele. Hands up, Cloff! Get back, I say! (The 
bomb-setter makes one desperate, lightning dash toward 
the table. He snatches a gun from his pocket. There is 
the crash of Steele's big automatic as it blazes forth. 
The criminal's revolver clatters to the floor; his riglit 
hand hangs helpless at his side.) Westerberg's telegram 
was genuine, as I took the trouble to make certain ! H? 
is innocent ! Let me present to you the chief director of 
German spies in the United States — Herr Willirm \^on 
Holtzer himself — alias "Tom Cloff'' — (he snaps on the 



THE SUBMARINE SHELL 75 

lights) and alias Detective Bradbury! {Exclamations of 
horror from all. Steele gives them scant time to re- 
cover.) This is the man who has been carrying on the 
secret moves against our government! This is the man 
Avho arranged the theft of the government papers at the 
Markmans' reception two years ago ! He is the one who 
has been plotting to blow up your home! He installed 
that contrivance on the wall in place of an alarm system I 
It was he who sent you the threatening letter signed by 
" Tom Cloif," and who ^ 

MiDD. Er — most impossible ! 

Steele. Ah, not at all ! For it was he who wrote out 
a diagram of his " alarm " system for me this evening — 
a diagram containing the words " Left," " Middle," and 
" Right." He is the man who writes a capital " R " like 
an " H " and an " F," and who can't write two " d's " the 
same way ! Fie prepared chloride of nitrogen by passing 
chlorine gas through a solution of ammonia ! 

MiDD. This is — er — why, this is preposterous! Do 
you mean — er — Mr. Steele, do you mean to as much as 
insinuate that my daughter has assisted 

Steele. Ah, no, Mr. Middlebrook! It is farthest 
from my intention to make any insinuations against your 
daughter. As I told you last evening, I have but one 
purpose, I have come with a warning — for you. A 
warning, my dear sir, against a young lady who contrives 
to receive a double present of candy v/hich she shows 
little inclination to have examined. A warning against a 
young lady who allows a certain gentleman to press her 
injured hand for five full seconds before she remembers 
that she must cry out in pain ! And against that same 
young lady when she brings about the escape of De- 
tective Bradbury, alias '' Tom Clorf," from the darkened 
laboratory, by simply carrying from the room his cloak 
and mask! 

MiDD. But this is terrible, Mr. Steele! To — er — to 
think of having my daughter arrested as a — er — as a spy ! 
Why, it would be — er Oh, it would be — er 

Steele. I could easily supply the proper words. If 
Monsieur LeClair would allow me, I could tell you that 
it would be — quite 



^6 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 

LeClair. Quite right ! N'est-ce pas, Monsieur ! Eet 
eez well spoken ! 

Steele. I shall leave the punishment of your daugh- 
ter entirely to you, Mr. Middlebrook. {He turns to 
Bradbury, zvho is still standing with his arms folded.) 
Herr Von Holtzer, I arrest you as an agent of the Ger- 
man Secret Service, actively engaged in an attempt 
against our nation. You've given me the hardest chase 
of my life, Von Holtzer! But youVe overplayed your 
paft of a private detective ! You went too far when you 
induced a young girl to turn traitor to her own home — to 
the people who had cared for her as a daughter since her 
birth ! We'll pay the heads of your government for this ! 
And vv^e'll pay them with solid shots from submarine 
shells, Von Holtzer, till we blow every cowardly U-boat 
out of the Atlantic — till the sea is again open to the 
world! (To Delia.) The bell for the plain-clothesmen, 
if you please ! 

(Exit Delia. Steele motions to Bradbury to follow 
her. He obeys. Steele walks tzuo feet behind him. 
They leave the room. Mr, and Mrs. Middlebrook 
hasten to Eleanor, zvho still sits in silence, zvith her 
head bozved. Margaret turns and motions them 
baek.) 

Marg. Not now, please ! I know I can be of more 
help to her than even you could, for a few minutes. 
You'll leave us, I know% Monsieur LeClair. (LeClair 
bows in silence and walks slowly from the room. Mrs. 
Middlebrook follows, with Middlebrook endeavoring to 
comfort her. Margaret is left alone with her friend.) 
Eleanor, you'll believe me when I tell you tliat I've done 
my very best to save you, v/on't you? (Eleanor nods 
slozvly.) I've tried so hard, for you! It isn't true that 
I deserted you because I found that you were working 
against your father to-night. Inspector Steele is wrong 
this time ! I never dreamed that you could be involved 
in such a plot as this ! I 

{She chokes suddenly, with a start which is more than 
half due to fear. Steele is standing in silence in 
the living-room doorzvay. He enters slowly.) 



THE SUBMARINE SHELL 7^ 

Steele. I have a little suggestion to make, Miss 
Middlebrook, I advise you to' go to your father and 
mother. Tell them your whole story, from start to finish ; 
then ask them to forgive it all. They may do it. 

Elea. (raising her head at last). Oh, I'd rather be 
shot than face them now. I — I deserve to be shot, In- 
spector. I've done all that you said. I helped him 
smuggle in the cyanogen in candy boxes; I painted red 
ink on my hand; I carried his disguise from the room 
to-night — and all for Albert Bradbury ! I — I'm guilty, 
Mr. Steele ! 

Steele. Yes, Miss Middlebrook, I fear so. But 
you've done far more than that. You've been unworthy 
of the truest friend you'll ever have ! You may go to 
your father. Miss Middlebrook. (Eleanor rises and 
turns tozvard the door. Margaret takes her arm and 
walks- with her. Steele goes to the table at l. As the 
two reach the door, he turns quickly.) Miss Linden. 

Marg. ( turning) . Yes ? 

Steele. One moment, please. You may let Miss 
Middlebrook go on alone. I'll not detain you but a 
moment. 

Marg. (returning). Very well. I'd like to go as 
soon as possible. 

Steele. Certainly, I merely wish to inform you that 
your services in the American Red Cross are no longer 
compulsory — that you are now at perfect liberty to with- 
draw. (Margaret hesitates, in surprise.) 

Marg. Oh, I don't want to w^ithdraw, Mr. Steele ! I 
see now your reason for forcing me to go two years ago. 
I realize what you did for me, when you saved me from 
Bradbury— and I thank you! (She pauses an instant. 
Steele is silent. ) But I don't want to give up the work 
now. I've been over to France, and have seen the suffer- 
ing and the horror. I must go back. I— I have found 
liov/ you are serving the nation every day, in the face of 
peril and opposition. I must do my small part — to help 
America and you ! 

(She goes suddenly to the chair, and- bozvs her head, 
Steele seems quite pusded.) 



78 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 

Steele. It — it's very fine of you to wish to help me, 
after our — unpleasantness. I'm sure 

Marg. (rising quickly). Oh, Mr. Steele, it's of no use 
to try to deceive you any longer. I know you overheard 
me when I told Eleanor just now, and you'll — you won't 
know what to think of me if I don't explain. You said 
to-night that I tricked Kraft because I had discovered 
that Eleanor was again a traitoress, and that I wouldn't 
help her after that. I — that isn't true. 

Steele. But I don't understand! 

Marg. I'm sorry if you don't. I hope you won't mis- 
judge me; I wasn't deceiving Eleanor. I had never 
dreamed that she could be connected with this terrible 
plot, until you exposed her just now. It — it was for your 
sake that I played false to Kraft, Mr. Steele! I'd give 
all I have in the vv^orld to have been able to save Eleanor, 
but — I — but I couldn't kill yoit to do it ! 

Steele. But you've forgotten! I — I'm your enemy, 
you know. 

Marg. But I'm not yours, Mr. Steele. You hurt my 
pride when you made me go to France, and my pride has 
made me treat you with every possible discourtesy. But 
it couldn't keep me from trying to warn you here this 
evening. (She hesitates.) Will you let me keep on 
serving the country with you, Inspector Steele? 

Steele (slowly). Miss Linden, you can never know 
what you've done ! You've changed everything in the 
world for me, now that you're not my enemy ! I'll go to 
Germany now with a new feeling. Success for America 
will be first, as always, but it won't be my only goal. I'll 
want to live nov/, and I'll want to live more than any- 
thing else in the world, except to help win for our nation ! 
And I'll fight to live, as well as to win! I — I told you 
to-night that there could never be anything in the world 
for me, except America. I meant it, then. But 

(Margaret has turned quickly, and raised her eyes to 
meet his.) 

Marg. Do you mean. Inspector Steele, that there — 
that there could just possibly be one other— that you 
could try to have just one ? Oh, could you try ? 



THE SUBMARINE SHELL 



79 



{There is a smile upcri the face of the great detective 
as he turns cjuietly to her. For just an instant he 
stands irresolute.) 

Steele. You wdn, Monsieur LeClair! I — I'll try — 
with great success ! 

(^Ind Margaret comes quickly to him as the curtain 
falls.) 



CURTAIN 



B. Ui. Pitiero's Plays 

Prk:*, 50 eente €aeb 



IMID^CHANNEL J'»r in roar Acts. Six m«lM, At. f.m«lM. 

THE NOTORIOUS MRS. EBBSMITH 2r" ^i^",?? 

males, five females. Costttmes, modern; scenery, all' interfors. 



Plays a full evening. 

THE PROFLIGATE f^^'^i'' Four Acts. Seren males, fire 
^^ttt^ t *^^* *-*^^ * *• females. Scenery, three interiors, rather 
•laborate ; costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. 

THE SCHOOLMISTRESS ^^^ce in Three Acts. Nine males, 
•***^ ^^**yy*^""^****-*^^ seven females. Costumes, mod- 
era; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

THE SECOND MRS. TANQUERAY |J|L'".SZ^S?i 

females. Costumes, modem; scenery, three Interiors. Plays a 

SWEET LAVENDER S'^medyin Three Acts. Seven males, 
^TTIjL.1 L.AVi:.riU£.IV four females. Scene, a single interior 
•ostumes, modern. Plays a full eveniug. 

THE THUNDERROI T <^P^^Y ^^ Four Acts. Ten males, 
lllLi IllUl^l/£,I\OVL.l nine females. Scenery, three Interi^ 
ors J costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. 

THF TIMFS Comedy in Pour Acts. Six males, seven females. 
V « *****-k' Scene, a single interior ; costumes, modern. Playg 
a full evening. ' 

THE WFAITFR RVY comedy in Three Acts. Eight males, 
inn fTi:.ilJ\£.i\ OCA eight females. Costumes? modern 
•oeuery, two interiors. Plays a full evening. 

A WIFE WITHOUT A SMILE ^r^lii^fJ^fLlSS: 

Uostumes, modern ; scene, a single interior. Plays a full evening. 

Sent prepaid on receipt of price by 

Walttv ?!• Pafeer & Company 

No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

016 215 217 8 ^1 



fC^t William Waxnn €tittion 
of ^la^s 



AQ TflU I nrP it comedy In Fire Acts. TblrtMH malM, four 
ma ivu i«ULi4 II females. Oostomea, pietaresque ; ■eenerjfT** 
ffl«d. PUys ft fall ereniug. 

CAMU T P I>i^<^™<^ ^n ^^^ -^ot"* ^^« m&lei. flT« femalea. Oo»> 
VAIIIU4I4V tomes, modem ; scenery, varied. Plays a full erenlng. 

INfiAMAV ^^7 ^° ^^^ -^^^^B- Thirteen males, three females. 
UlUVmAA Scenery varied ; eostomes, Greek. Plays a full evening. 

MADT ^TTABT Tragedy in nve Acts. Thirteen males, four fe- 
mAHl t^tuant males, and supernumeraries. Costumes, of the 
p«riod ; scenery, varied and elaborate. Plays a full evening. 

TBB MERCBANT OF VENICE S3itJlh?.!£to^J2: SSrSJT. 

picturesque ; scenery varied. Plays a full evening. 

DirHFT IPn PlAy 111 ^▼c Acts. Fifteen males, two females. Been- 
mvULfMLU ery elaborate ; costumes of the period. Plays a full 
evening. 

™DIVAIC Comedy In Five Acts. Nine males, Ave females. 
AITA1<J Scenery varied; costumes of the period. Plays a 
full evening, 

SUB STOOPS TO COHQOEI S3S*C ,Sa7,.l"SJ5?r 

lied i oostumee of the period. Plays a full evening. 

TWaPTB NI6HT; OK, WBAT YOD WILL SSS'^n'^mSi! 

three females. Ooskomes, picturesque ; scenery, varied. Plays a 
full evening. 



. Sent prepaid on receipt of price bj 

W&lttt f^. T5B&tv & Compatif 

Vo. 5 Hamilton Place, Boatoiiy ICastachnsetta 

a. J. rAMKHILL m CO.. PNINTBIIS. BOaTON. U.S.A. 



